Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Scientists Create Permanently Slick Surface So Ketchup Won't Stay In Bottle

Posted by samzenpus on from the greased-lightning dept.

HughPickens.com writes Much of what we buy never makes it out of the container and is instead thrown away — up to a quarter of skin lotion, 16 percent of laundry detergent and 15 percent of condiments like mustard and ketchup. Now Kenneth Chang reports at the NYT that scientists have just solved one of life's little problems — how to get that last little bit of ketchup (or glue) out of a bottle. Using a coating that makes the inside of the bottle permanently wet and slippery, glue quickly slides to the nozzle or back down to the bottom. The technology could have major environmental payoffs by reducing waste. Superhydrophobic surfaces work similar to air hockey tables. Tiny peaks and valleys on the surface create a thin layer of air between the liquid and the coating. The air decreases friction, so the liquid almost levitates above the surface, just like the hockey puck floats above the table. LiquiGlide's approach is similar, but it uses a liquid lubricant, not a gas. "What could be a solution that provides sort of universal slipperiness?" says Dr. Varanasi. "The idea we had was, Why not think about trapping a liquid in these features?" Dr. Varanasi and Mr. Smith worked out a theory to predict interactions among the surface, the lubricant and air. Essentially, the lubricant binds more strongly to the textured surface than to the liquid, and that allows the liquid to slide on a layer of lubricant instead of being pinned against the surface, and the textured surface keeps the lubricant from slipping out. "We're not defying physics, but effectively, we are," says Smith.

112 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. How is this new? by dorpus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've seen these sorts of videos for at least 5 years now. Where are the commercial products?

    1. Re:How is this new? by xnerd00x · · Score: 5, Insightful

      There is absolutely no incentive for Heinz to put this into their bottles. This means people will spend less on average on ketchup per year since they can get every last bit out of the bottle. I know it may not seem like much, but multiply it by millions of bottles sold and it adds up to a hefty hit on their bottom line.

    2. Re:How is this new? by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You're thinking about it all wrong.

      You turn it over, half the bottle dumps onto your food. You have to buy twice as much. Effectively they can increase food waste, and therefore sales, under the guise of environmentalism. Sure, we'll help you get every last drop ... just all at once.

      I know the last thing my wife wants is for me to have the mustard come out of the bottle any faster. I always end up with far too much as it is. ;-)

      If the ketchup came out faster we'd be doomed.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    3. Re:How is this new? by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Insightful

      They'll sell smaller bottles for the same price, and they'll enjoy lower shipping prices. Win-win, kinda.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    4. Re:How is this new? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I know the last thing my wife wants is for me to have the mustard come out of the bottle any faster.

      That's what she said!

      Heyoooooooo!

    5. Re:How is this new? by Sowelu · · Score: 1

      Charge an extra $0.30 per bottle just for the novelty factor, while at the same time converting more people away from the store brand.

    6. Re:How is this new? by camperdave · · Score: 1

      The money they could make by advertising no-stick bottles far and away outweighs the losses due to the customer getting a packet worth of extra ketchup out of the bottle.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    7. Re:How is this new? by Caitlin2013D · · Score: 2

      Can totally see this. People expecting it to stick in restaurants. Turn it over and instinctively hit the bottom. Entire bottle on plate!

    8. Re:How is this new? by StikyPad · · Score: 2

      Yes there is. Competition. Absent collusion, someone will implement it in an attempt to gain or maintain market share. I'm not saying the free market is a panacea, but that's the incentive, and I suspect it's compelling enough in this case.

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
    9. Re:How is this new? by bluefoxlucid · · Score: 2

      That won't happen. Ketchup is a non-newtonian fluid: its viscosity changes with shear force, and so it refuses to flow until adequate force is applied. That's why ketchup doesn't leave the bottle with gentle force, but spurts out when squeezed. It will retain its shape just fine until forced out.

      Heinz will collapse as a company and be bought by Kraft or something stupid while Hunts goes on to advertise to housewives that they can get that last squirt with their bottle.

      --
      Support my political activism on Patreon.
    10. Re:How is this new? by cayenne8 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I'm wondering, is this the next round of BPA /phthalates that we find are bad for us?

      --
      Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
    11. Re:How is this new? by Jarik+C-Bol · · Score: 1

      I don't think it really matters if they put it in their bottle or not, we're all going to still have 3 half full and expired bottles of Ketchup in the fridge anyways.

      --
      I've decided to Diversify my Holdings. I've divided my cash between my left and right pockets, instead of all in one.
    12. Re:How is this new? by JMJimmy · · Score: 1

      I'm wondering, is this the next round of BPA /phthalates that we find are bad for us?

      Of course it is, but we won't do any sort of health testing until decades later when it's in most of our products.

    13. Re:How is this new? by DutchUncle · · Score: 4, Informative

      You have it backwards. Heinz is buying Kraft. http://fortune.com/2015/03/24/...

    14. Re:How is this new? by Dutch+Gun · · Score: 1

      Of course there's an incentive. Just like with anything else, Heinz dominance in the ketchup market is not guaranteed. Consumers ALWAYS have the option of switching to another brand like Hunt's, or a generic store brand that's cheaper. Heinz wants give consumers a reason for choosing a slightly more expensive national brand, and a better bottle may be a part of that decision.

      Moreover, what can you really do to market ketchup? It's not exactly a product that you can improve on in terms of the food itself. They've already been improving bottles in many ways (more convenient plastic squeeze bottles that you can store upside down, improved caps, tamper-resistant seals that are easier to open, etc), so it's very likely that they'll adopt this if the cost isn't exorbitant. In fact, they'll probably actually feature that bottle in a marketing campaign if it's a significant improvement from the current standard.

      --
      Irony: Agile development has too much intertia to be abandoned now.
    15. Re:How is this new? by Krishnoid · · Score: 1

      That may not be what you have to worry about. In fact, if these problems come to pass, it would probably solve the obesity epidemic in a month.

    16. Re:How is this new? by jeffmeden · · Score: 3

      In the history of "conservation" no one has managed to turn the ability to use less of a product, into the *practice* of using less of a product. How often do you let the empty ketchup bottle "ride" in the fridge and squeeze a few faint drops on each hot dog hoping to get the last of it, while really only putting 1/10th your normal amount on? Yep. Now, you can get your full ketchup fix on time, every time. And when the bottle is gone it's gone, no more "maybe one more blob of salt-tomato-vinegar heaven, if I shake it just right!" instead, it's on to the next new bottle, and the next full load of ketchup on your bratwurst, and even BETTER sales for Kraft/Heinz.

      Further reading: energy efficiency != energy conservation: http://freakonomics.com/2015/0...

    17. Re:How is this new? by idontgno · · Score: 1

      OTOH, who can resist the opportunity to revive the phrase "anal leakage"?

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
    18. Re:How is this new? by taiwanjohn · · Score: 2

      There's a very simple solution to the ketchup bottle problem: turn it sideways.

      Most people hold the ketchup bottle vertically upside down over their plate and slap the bottom to make the ketchup come out. This doesn't work very well. Instead you hold the bottle horizontally over your plate and hit the side, so that there's plenty of room for air to enter the bottle while the ketchup flows out. Works every time. Try it.

      --
      XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve your problem, you're not using enough of it. --AC
    19. Re:How is this new? by grimmjeeper · · Score: 2

      Ah, the fond memories...

    20. Re:How is this new? by newcastlejon · · Score: 1

      Even simpler solution: use a plastic squeeze bottle. No mess, and they're probably cheaper than the glass ones to boot. Also, if you get one that dispenses from the bottom, you don't have to deal with that liquid that tends to rise to the top.

      --
      If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
    21. Re:How is this new? by taiwanjohn · · Score: 1

      Just had this "problem" the other day... I squeeze the bottle and nothing comes out, so I squeeze harder and harder until suddenly I hit the "breakthrough" point and get an avalanche. I do not like those squeeze bottles, thank you very much, the glass bottles work much better for me.

      --
      XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve your problem, you're not using enough of it. --AC
    22. Re:How is this new? by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Or nano-particles and what about the liquid lubricant hanging around with your food? What lubricant? Not that it got to be dangerous.

    23. Re:How is this new? by fisted · · Score: 1

      Yes, this. And violently shake before opening.

      --
      CLI paste? paste.pr0.tips!
    24. Re:How is this new? by BoRegardless · · Score: 1

      Had a roommate that went through a Heinz catsup factory. Watched what they put "into the vats" and said he never ate ketchup again.

    25. Re:How is this new? by leenks · · Score: 1

      In a word, no. "A lubricating liquid is sprayed onto the porous surface, filling the tiny gaps. The liquid is held in place by capillary forces and creates a slippery surface for food or other liquids."

    26. Re: How is this new? by perryizgr8 · · Score: 1

      Is there any problem plastic can't solve?

      --
      Wealth is the gift that keeps on giving.
    27. Re:How is this new? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 1

      I'm wondering, is this the next round of BPA /phthalates that we find are bad for us?

      From TF-NYT-A: (emphasis mine)

      The approach also allows them to vary the ingredients of the textured layer and the lubricant to fit the properties of different liquids — for food applications, the coatings are derived from edible materials.

      --
      It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
    28. Re:How is this new? by zippthorne · · Score: 1

      Unfortunately, that solution is so obvious that the condiment makers have made it for us. Where can you even get a glass bottle of ketchup any more?

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
    29. Re:How is this new? by sootman · · Score: 1

      > You turn it over, half the bottle dumps onto your food.

      Insightful? REALLY? I didn't read that they're making the ketchup thinner or removing the small hole in the end of the cap. The article shows a glass ketchup bottle, true, but the other bottles shown are the more common squeezable plastic kind. The last time I used a glass ketchup bottle was maybe 10 years ago in a restaurant.

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    30. Re:How is this new? by Ksevio · · Score: 1

      But if they can sell a less frustrating product than their competitors then they might make more money

    31. Re:How is this new? by dbIII · · Score: 1

      Just wait until you've seen how fish sauce is made, or woostershire sauce.
      I got some very funny looks when I checked the use by date on a bottle of fish sauce. It's already gone off so the date is mere decoration.

    32. Re:How is this new? by Waccoon · · Score: 1

      I was wondering why they replaced their wonderful crosshair squeeze tops with normal pop-tops within the last few years. The old bottles were very precise and clean. The new ones just glop the stuff out.

      Just the latest round of, "you're holding it wrong," I guess.

    33. Re:How is this new? by tinkerton · · Score: 1

      Sensible comment. There's a marketing story about how a toothpaste increased their sales by 15% just by increasing the size of the opening of the tube. Since then, they've all done that. And with they I don't mean toothpaste brands. Think about it the next time you squirt some detergent in the sink

    34. Re:How is this new? by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

      If you knew what I know about what happens when orange juice is shipped in bulk container ships before it's packaged for sale, you would never drink OJ again.

    35. Re:How is this new? by SternisheFan · · Score: 1

      I'll stick with the old butter knife trick to start the ketchup (catsup??) flowing, still impresses the ladies at the dinner table.

    36. Re:How is this new? by sociocapitalist · · Score: 1

      They'll sell smaller bottles for the same price, and they'll enjoy lower shipping prices. Win-win, kinda.

      People won't buy smaller bottles for the same price.

      --
      blindly antisocialist = antisocial
    37. Re:How is this new? by sociocapitalist · · Score: 1

      There is absolutely no incentive for Heinz to put this into their bottles. This means people will spend less on average on ketchup per year since they can get every last bit out of the bottle. I know it may not seem like much, but multiply it by millions of bottles sold and it adds up to a hefty hit on their bottom line.

      And thus a need for...regulation.

      And for all you who think that the free market works well without government intervention- enjoy your wasted ketchup (or whatever) because this ain't never gonna happen wi'out no reg-u-la-shun.

      --
      blindly antisocialist = antisocial
    38. Re:How is this new? by sociocapitalist · · Score: 1

      You're thinking about it all wrong.

      You turn it over, half the bottle dumps onto your food. You have to buy twice as much. Effectively they can increase food waste, and therefore sales, under the guise of environmentalism. Sure, we'll help you get every last drop ... just all at once.

      I know the last thing my wife wants is for me to have the mustard come out of the bottle any faster. I always end up with far too much as it is. ;-)

      If the ketchup came out faster we'd be doomed.

      My favorite are the hand wash products that when you give a push the gel shoots right out over your hand, missing it completely.

      In second place are the shower products with holes big enough that you just can not get a small quantity out.

      --
      blindly antisocialist = antisocial
    39. Re:How is this new? by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      Yeah they will, and they do. All that needs to be done is to reshape the bottle, and nobody will be the wiser. This (and watering the product down, it's just like the drug market) is a very common method of making your inflation figures look good.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    40. Re:How is this new? by sociocapitalist · · Score: 1

      Yeah they will, and they do. All that needs to be done is to reshape the bottle, and nobody will be the wiser. This (and watering the product down, it's just like the drug market) is a very common method of making your inflation figures look good.

      Nah because if they could've they already would've, to the most possible.

      --
      blindly antisocialist = antisocial
    41. Re:How is this new? by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      What are you talking about? It's done all the time, to the most possible. That is what the *market will bear* means. Pay attention to the label.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    42. Re:How is this new? by pnutjam · · Score: 1

      Well, to be fair, they transfer it with a giant sponge, so it is freshly squeezed.

      --
      Cheap storage VM.
    43. Re:How is this new? by lsatenstein · · Score: 1

      There is absolutely no incentive for Heinz to put this into their bottles. This means people will spend less on average on ketchup per year since they can get every last bit out of the bottle. I know it may not seem like much, but multiply it by millions of bottles sold and it adds up to a hefty hit on their bottom line.

      I have to contradict you. Yes there is an incentive. If you can get all the condiment out from the container, instead of losing 15%, then Heinz and others can make their portions smaller, without reducing selling price.

      --
      Leslie Satenstein Montreal Quebec Canada
  2. Ketchup was never a problem ... by BarbaraHudson · · Score: 4, Informative

    We just mixed a little vinegar in to get the last of the bottle and slop it on our french fries.

    --
    "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
    1. Re:Ketchup was never a problem ... by CanadianMacFan · · Score: 2

      When there's a little left in the bottle I just store it upside down so that when I go to use it all of the ketchup, mustard, etc is right at the cover. I can't understand how people are wasting 15%.

    2. Re:Ketchup was never a problem ... by Ted+Stoner · · Score: 1

      We just mixed a little vinegar in to get the last of the bottle and slop it on our french fries.

      I second this. As a kid when we went hunting and were down to the end of the only ketchup bottle, my uncle would add vinegar and thin it out to make it last longer.

    3. Re:Ketchup was never a problem ... by fisted · · Score: 3, Informative

      1. Verify bottle is closed
      2. Hold bottle at the bottom
      3. Make a sudden, whipping movement with your arm, alternatively windmill it around.
      4. ???
      5. Physics! It works, bitches!
      (6. Hold horizontally when opening)

      --
      CLI paste? paste.pr0.tips!
    4. Re:Ketchup was never a problem ... by Jeremi · · Score: 4, Funny

      4. ???

      (4) is "realize you should have been holding the bottle more tightly during step 3 -- go to find the mop and broom"

      --


      I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
  3. Oh sure... by the_skywise · · Score: 2

    and like BPA plastic coatings I'm sure it'll be completely harmless to us... for now...

    1. Re:Oh sure... by rnturn · · Score: 2

      Yes but ketchup manufacturers (Big Ketchup?) paid the researchers to figure out the ketchup bottle problem. Not our long-term health. That problem is dumped by Big Ketchup into the FDA's lap who'll then turn around and ask Big Ketchup to study the problem for 90 days and, if nobody dies of cancer during that time, will deem the super slippery ketchup bottles safe. Unless the FDA decides that they can fast track the approval process because the American People need this product as soon as possible.

      --
      CUR ALLOC 20195.....5804M
    2. Re:Oh sure... by fustakrakich · · Score: 4, Funny

      the coatings are derived from edible materials

      Allegedly so are hotdogs and white bread.

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    3. Re:Oh sure... by Gr8Apes · · Score: 1

      the coatings are derived from edible materials

      Allegedly so are hotdogs and white bread.

      or haggis

      --
      The cesspool just got a check and balance.
  4. Again? by StikyPad · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I thought they did this years ago.

    --
    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
    1. Re:Again? by Mysticalfruit · · Score: 2

      MIT was showing this off awhile ago and I *believe* they sold it to DuPont... you can buy it in cans to coat things like boots. I think the innovation here is that they've made the coating either tougher so it won't abate over time and/or they've figured out how to make it food safe... I can't imagine making your insides hydrophobic would be that good for you...

      --
      Yes Francis, the world has gone crazy.
    2. Re:Again? by Lodlaiden · · Score: 1

      If the food doesn't stick, you can't get constipated (or fat).

      --
      Suborbital [spaceflight] is the special olympics of spaceflight. - Rei
    3. Re:Again? by rnturn · · Score: 1

      Or, maybe, nourished. There can't be anything good about having this coating getting into your digestive tract.

      --
      CUR ALLOC 20195.....5804M
  5. The news isn't that it's been created... by berchca · · Score: 5, Informative

    We already knew it existed, as reported on Slashdot back in May of 2012:
    http://science.slashdot.org/story/12/05/23/2240213/mit-creates-superhydrophobic-condiment-bottles

    The news here is that it's finally being commercialized.

  6. More expense for the seller to sell less? by Bruce66423 · · Score: 1

    Seems like it makes NO sense for food manufacturers to implement. Sadly this appears to be a case where regulation may be needed to force the issue.

    1. Re:More expense for the seller to sell less? by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

      This doesn't seem like a feature, at least to me.

      Am I the only one that's had the experience of turning the bottle of ketchup over and having way too much pour out onto my burger? Or salad dressing, for that matter?

      --
      #DeleteChrome
  7. Wow ... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Funny

    So, if you could do this on the outside of condoms you'd put Wet and Astroglide out of business. ;-)

    Introducing, everslide ... our slipperiest condoms evar.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    1. Re:Wow ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Sorry Babe. I put that thing on inside out again!

    2. Re:Wow ... by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      Each one is good for two uses!

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    3. Re:Wow ... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      So, if you could do this on the outside of condoms you'd put Wet and Astroglide out of business. ;-)

      I'll write this in a way to try to not get moderated troll or whatever even though there's more fun ways of writing it.

      But yeah. I just want to say that lube is used for other things too.

      Sure those who have had their foreskin removed could masturbate with a condom turned outside in instead (how well does it actually work masturbating missing it?)
      And of course people can use condoms for anal sex too.

      So yeah. I guess slippery condoms could replace sexual lubricants but sexual lubricants isn't only used to lubricate condoms and for usage with such sexual activity is what I want to say.

      Mutilated sex organs: Because for humans sex is such a sin! Don't enjoy life. Suffer through it! Because God is .. whatever he's. Awesome!

      Ok, maybe I took it too far with that last one anyway :(

    4. Re:Wow ... by aliquis · · Score: 1

      Works very well, thanks for asking ;). There is no need for lube or anything.
      Less smelly, too.

      Experience of the last part or just bullshit?

      I don't go around smell penis ..

      It's a poor argument (I have water in-door, can you imagine?)

      I know there exist stuff like "Jack Jelly" and that masturbating with lube seem to be a thing in US movies.

      And of course moving skin and foreskin help with keeping things move-able (and protect some parts from as much stimuli in everyday situations and can detect touch.)

      Who would go around cut of their sex organs if it wasn't for religion?

  8. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by StikyPad · · Score: 4, Funny

    First, everything is a chemical.

    But more importantly, there is no such thing as superfluous genitalia.

    --
    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  9. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by geekmux · · Score: 3, Interesting

    We don't need more chemicals in our packaged food products.

    Brace yourself, but most people who consume packaged food products have little concern over any chemicals in them.

  10. But by synapse7 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does it cause cancer in California?

    1. Re:But by aaron4801 · · Score: 1

      According to one of the links, the company apparently has a number of chemicals to choose from, and will apply the one most compatible with the customers' product.
      For reference, here's the CA Prop 65 list (PDF)

  11. Yummy, tasty liquid lubricant by QuietLagoon · · Score: 1

    I wonder how carcinogenic this stuff is...

    1. Re:Yummy, tasty liquid lubricant by pr0fessor · · Score: 1

      I don't know about carcinogenic but I would imagine it might have laxative like properties.

    2. Re:Yummy, tasty liquid lubricant by QuietLagoon · · Score: 1
      So true.

      .
      Slip Slidin' Away

  12. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by MisterLawyer · · Score: 2

    I hate to break it to you, but your packaged food products are already 100% comprised of chemicals. https://youtu.be/xV_4EA-wrPc?t...

  13. Recycling by hammeraxe · · Score: 2

    Multi layered packaging (such as ketchup bottles or juice cartons) is already notoriously difficult to recycle. Can't imagine this helps... At least you can rinse out the leftover ketchup.

    1. Re:Recycling by StikyPad · · Score: 1

      For paper and plastics, that's true. Glass would be the best bet, since the melting or flash point of the coating(s) is almost certainly lower than that of glass, so it can easily be separated.

      --
      https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
    2. Re:Recycling by Krishnoid · · Score: 1

      If nothing sticks to it, why couldn't you just refill it?

  14. Ketchup bottles? by mariox19 · · Score: 2

    How about coating the insides of our arteries with something like that!

    --

    quiquid id est, timeo puellas et oscula dantes.

    1. Re:Ketchup bottles? by gstoddart · · Score: 2

      Great, then you'd have an artificial version of hemophilia, wouldn't you? The slightest nick and you'd bleed out?

      Reminds me of some diet product from years ago that got pulled due to excessive rectal seepage.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  15. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Funny

    Brace yourself, but most people who consume packaged food products have little concern over any chemicals in them.

    The corollary to this is most people who consume packges chemicals have very little concern if there is any actual food products in them.

    I recently saw "imitation American-style cheese food slices". Now, "American" "cheese" isn't legally cheese in most of the world. So what the fsck is imitation artificial cheese?

    I'm not even sure it had any dairy in it.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  16. Oh yeah, this'll get picked up by MattGWU · · Score: 2

    'Reducing waste', from the point of view is actually 'reducing sales'. Product that is 'wasted' is merely product bought and never used. Reducing this 'waste' will reduce their sales volume.

    I'm sure they're all eager to jump on something that will reduce sales, no matter how much consumers would like it.

    --
    "These people look deep within my soul and assign me a number based on the order in which I joined" --Homer re:
    1. Re:Oh yeah, this'll get picked up by Sowelu · · Score: 1

      Consumers will do anything to feel more socially or economically responsible! They'll buy twice as many of these new bottles just for the privilege of wasting less ketchup and plastic.

    2. Re:Oh yeah, this'll get picked up by ledow · · Score: 1

      How much do they save by you rebuying a teaspoon of ketchup once a month? Ketchup bottles are already refillable.

      How much brand name exposure would they get to be the only company with the "unstickable" bottles? Ketchup bottles that are squirty without whacking required (the new plastic-sphincter caps), sit on their lids not their base, etc. have actually increased sales of (technically smaller) bottles in many industries. Hell, in the UK you can buy squirty mint sauce and it costs more than normal mint sauce despite being smaller. People STILL buy it.

    3. Re:Oh yeah, this'll get picked up by moeinvt · · Score: 1

      If the consumers like it, couldn't they raise prices? It might also allow the early adopter to grab market share until the competitors ketch up.
      If your condiment bottle does something cool that the competitor's doesn't, I'll buy it and pay a premium.

  17. Better on the outside by Atheraal · · Score: 1

    I don't care about wasting half a cent's worth of ketchup, but what I do care about is not getting sick. If this stuff is on the outside of condiment bottles and salt shakers at restaurants, it massively reduces the number of germs that'll live on said implements. And how often do you wash your hands between putting ketchup on your plate and dipping a fry into it?

  18. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by camperdave · · Score: 2

    Slices of actual cheddar?

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  19. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by hackwrench · · Score: 1

    You say that now, but wait until you have a penis growing out of your forehead.

  20. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by StikyPad · · Score: 2

    You say that now, but wait until you have a penis growing out of your forehead.

    I literally cannot wait for that.

    --
    https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
  21. save water! by ralphsiegler · · Score: 2

    sci fi novel "The Mote in God's Eye" had frictionless toilet that didn't need water. I already thought of way of keeping sewer odor out of house without water trap.

  22. On the contrary... by elgatozorbas · · Score: 3, Informative

    I know it may not seem like much, but multiply it by millions of bottles sold and it adds up to a hefty hit on their bottom line.

    You are completely correct. In the past Heinz has even been caught cheating by underfilling their ketchup bottles.

  23. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't be a dickhead

  24. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by geekmux · · Score: 1

    I'm pretty sure even in the US american cheese is labeled as cheese food, i.e. a food product with cheese in it, and not cheese. Just saying since your statement "in most of the world" seemed to imply the US considered it cheese, when I'm pretty sure that even we don't.

    Well, we kind of do, in the same way that we kind of call it cheese...

  25. Sounds Messy by Stormy+Dragon · · Score: 1

    Ketchup Won't Stay In Bottle

    So like you open the lid and a fountain of ketchup immediately geysers out of the bottle?

    1. Re:Sounds Messy by idontgno · · Score: 1

      Even creepier. The ketchup slithers out of the bottle top like a red high-temperature Helium II... and all over everything. And it keeps going... seeking something only Cthulhu knows.

      --
      Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
  26. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by sexconker · · Score: 2

    I recently saw "imitation American-style cheese food slices". Now, "American" "cheese" isn't legally cheese in most of the world. So what the fsck is imitation artificial cheese?

    I'm not even sure it had any dairy in it.

    "American" cheese is a very mild cheddar with a low melting point. It is actual cheese.

  27. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by Tran · · Score: 1

    Actually you can find both, and there is a qualitative difference, American Cheese and American Cheese Food Product.
    Deli counters will often have American Cheese, whereas most packed stuff is Cheese Product.

  28. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by gstoddart · · Score: 1

    I've had American cheddar. It's tasty stuff. That's not what I'm talking about.

    But that "process cheese food" made from long-chain polymers which isn't legally cheese and comes in individual plastic is what I'm talking about. It's NOT actual cheese.

    And the package on this stuff indicated it was an "immitation" version of the stuff which isn't legally cheese.

    Basically it was a yellow goo made of soy oil and other crap.

    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  29. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Rule of thumb, don't eat any food labelled " product".

  30. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by operagost · · Score: 1

    So you manufacture your own ketchup out of vegetables and spices you grew in your own garden? And your mustard, mayonnaise, applesauce, jam, etc.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  31. Re:Anal leakage by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 1

    Obligatory.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
  32. How to get 99% of ketchup out of the bottle by renergy · · Score: 2

    Suppose you have almost empty bottle of ketchup. The following procedure works

    1) close the bottle, turn it upside down with one hand
    2) tap the bottle (2 or 3 times) to the other hand, while holding it upside down, to move the ketchup from the bottom to the (inside) walls of the bottle
    3) Stand the bottle on its cap
    4) let it stand for ~20 minutes
    5) most of the ketchup will slowly slide to the bottom, leaving the sides almost clean - try it to see it
    6) carefully open the cap while still upside down, empty the ketchup on a plate
    7) enjoy the ketchup

    This procedure leaves only ~1% - at most - in the bottle. Could not believe how well the ketchup slide down. All it needs is a bit of time - really 20 minutes or so, it is not instantaneous.

    1. Re:How to get 99% of ketchup out of the bottle by volmtech · · Score: 2

      #6 In warmer climes the air has expanded in the bottle expelling the last bit with explosive force. There is no careful, just a blast of ketchup.

    2. Re:How to get 99% of ketchup out of the bottle by dbIII · · Score: 1

      Being a cheap bastard I get that last 10% out with some hot water and add it to mince+tomato dishes that lack that deep artificial red colour that most of us are convinced that cooked tomato is supposed to be.

  33. Strange Taste by digitalPhant0m · · Score: 1

    Why does my Hamburger taste like KY Jelly?

    1. Re:Strange Taste by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      how do you know what ky jelly tastes like?

  34. Laundry detergent waste? by Dereck1701 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "16 percent of laundry detergent"

    If you're wasting that much laundry detergent you're doing something very wrong. I use liquid and when the bottle runs dry I take a few cupfuls of water out of the washer and put it in the bottle, give it a few shakes and then dump it straight into the wash. I doubt more than 0.1% manages to stick to crevices in the pour spout. Even if you didn't do that I have a hard time believing that more than 3% sticks to the sides of the bottle. With your average bottle 16% is more than 5 loads worth of detergent still in the bottle.

    1. Re:Laundry detergent waste? by houghi · · Score: 1

      I use tablets and no softener. I tried softener, but noticed that after wearing clothes for more than 30 seconds, I noticed no difference.

      That is a saving of 100% on softener. More than any bottle can do.

      --
      Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  35. Re:Lubricant by cmdr_tofu · · Score: 1

    yeah, as we know, if you are a hotdog eater, you are picky about the quality of your food.

  36. How is it for the environment? by Stan92057 · · Score: 1

    How is it for the environment? Is it safe to make? to recycle? Safe To eat the products it contacts?

    --
    Jack of all trades,master of none
  37. Cancer never tasted so good. by GregGorby · · Score: 1

    Mmmmmm... Cancer.

  38. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by amRadioHed · · Score: 1

    American cheddar is different from american cheese which is different from the individually sliced, completely non-cheese junk you're talking about.

    --
    We hope your rules and wisdom choke you / Now we are one in everlasting peace
  39. Re:Coating causes growth of superfluous genitalia by Carewolf · · Score: 1

    Brace yourself, but most people who consume packaged food products have little concern over any chemicals in them.

    The corollary to this is most people who consume packges chemicals have very little concern if there is any actual food products in them.

    I recently saw "imitation American-style cheese food slices". Now, "American" "cheese" isn't legally cheese in most of the world. So what the fsck is imitation artificial cheese?

    I'm not even sure it had any dairy in it.

    Reminds of McDonalds in the 90s when they were forced to changed the description of their burgers from containing beef to containing meat in the EU (the meat didn't contain enough beef to qualify as beef, but the pink goo did qualify as "meat") . Always beware of too generic food descriptions.

  40. Forget the ketchup bottle ... by Muad'Dave · · Score: 1

    ... I want a stain-proof superhydrophobic shirt!

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.