Beverage Container With Insulative Air Gap for Hot and Cold Liquids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage containers fail to effectively insulate both hot and cold liquids while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing volume loss.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container design featuring an outer cup and an inner gap support that creates an insulative air-gap, utilizing spacer ribs and retainer tabs for secure fit and stackability, made from thermoformed polymer materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single-walled cup structure is used, then the container is simple in structure and easy to manufacture, but it fails to provide effective thermal insulation for hot and cold liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate components: an outer cup and an inner gap support. This segmentation creates an air-gap insulation layer between the hot/cold liquid container and the outer wall, preventing direct thermal conduction while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through separate molding of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
An air-gap is introduced as an intermediary thermal barrier between the liquid-containing inner space and the outer cup wall. This air-gap acts as a thermal insulator, reducing heat transfer from hot liquids or to cold liquids, while the spacer ribs serve as structural mediators to maintain this insulating space.
2Temperature
If spacer ribs are added to maintain the insulative air-gap, then thermal insulation is improved, but the container volume is reduced due to the space occupied by spacers
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer ribs are designed with curved, arcuate shapes that follow the contour of the container. This curvature allows the spacers to maintain the air-gap distance more efficiently while occupying less radial space compared to straight rigid spacers, thereby preserving more container volume for liquid storage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing continuous 360-degree spacing around the entire container, the spacer ribs are strategically positioned at key locations where thermal bridging is most likely to occur. This partial spacing approach provides sufficient thermal insulation while minimizing the volume consumed by spacer structures.
3Strength
If retainer tabs are used to secure the inner gap support, then structural integrity is improved, but the container becomes more complex and harder to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer tabs are integrated directly into the inner gap support component during the molding process, combining the spacing function and the retention function into a single piece. This eliminates the need for separate retention mechanisms and simplifies assembly, as the tabs automatically engage with the outer cup wall when the inner support is inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer tabs are designed to automatically engage with the outer cup wall through elastic deformation and snap-fit mechanisms. The tabs flex during insertion and then lock into place on their own, providing self-retention without requiring additional fastening steps, tools, or complex assembly procedures.
4Productivity
If the container is designed for stacking, then storage efficiency is improved, but the separation of stacked containers becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container features an asymmetric stacking design where the outer cup has a slightly larger diameter at the rim than at the base, creating a tapered profile. This asymmetry allows containers to stack tightly together for efficient storage, while the slight angle difference and friction create natural release points that make separation easier by applying upward force at the rim.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacking interface is designed with dynamic characteristics where the friction between stacked containers can be overcome by applying a sufficient upward force. The retainer tabs and outer cup wall create a friction-based connection that holds containers together during storage but allows for easy separation when needed, transitioning from a static locked state to a dynamic separated state.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design maintains temperature insulation for longer periods, reduces condensation, and provides structural reinforcement while minimizing volume loss and facilitating easy stacking.
Implementation Method 1
the inner gap support is at least partially spaced apart from the outer cup to provide an insulative air-gap between the outer cup and the inner cup so that the beverage container may be used with hot and cold liquids
Implementation Method 2
reduces condensation
Data Source
AI summary
An insulative beverage container includes an outer cup and an inner gap support. The outer cup includes a cup brim, a cup floor, and a cup body. The inner gap support is configured to fit within an interior space of the outer cup and includes a gap-support brim, a gap-support floor, and gap-support body.