Annular Drip Ring Structure for Beverage Cup Lid Drips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage cup lids do not effectively prevent liquid from dripping onto a user's clothing, leading to unsightly stains.

Innovation Solution

A drip ring device with an annular channel positioned beneath the lid of a beverage cup to capture dripping liquid, using a fluid-impermeable material like plastic or pressed paper, with dimensions ranging from 5.7 cm to 9.4 cm interior diameter and 6.9 cm to 10.6 cm outside diameter, forming a drip space to contain the liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conventional beverage cup lid is used, then the lid structure is simple, but liquid drips from the lid onto clothing causing stains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid dripping onto clothingVSAvoidlid structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an annular channel as an intermediary component positioned between the lid and the beverage cup. This channel acts as a mediator that intercepts liquid dripping from the lid perimeter and redirects it into the beverage cup, preventing direct contact with clothing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid structure is segmented into functional zones: the main lid body, the annular channel component, and the beverage cup. The annular channel is positioned at the perimeter where liquid dripping occurs, creating a dedicated capture zone that separates the dripping function from the sealing function of the lid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If an annular channel is added to capture dripping liquid, then liquid capture effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid capture effectivenessVSAvoiddrip ring device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The annular channel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures liquid dripping from the lid perimeter, redirects the liquid into the beverage cup, and maintains structural integrity at the lid-cup interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The annular channel is nested within the existing lid and beverage cup structure. It is positioned at the perimeter of the lid and fits into the space between the lid and the cup body, creating a compact integrated structure rather than adding external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS12415663B2Drip ring device

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 HAYDEN ARVUAN

AI summary

A drip ring device for capturing liquid that drips from a beverage cup includes a beverage cup and a lid that is attached to the beverage cup such that the lid closes the beverage cup. An annular channel is positionable around the beverage cup. The annular channel is urgeable into a seated position having the annular channel being positioned beneath the lid when the lid is attached to the beverage cup. In this way the annular channel defines a drip space beneath the lid to capture liquid that drips from the lid.