Drinking Cup Lid Gaskets and Pivot Closure for Irregular Cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household drinking cups, such as ceramic and glass mugs, often have varying sizes and irregular shapes, making it difficult to design a lid that can securely fit and prevent spillage during travel.
Innovation Solution
A drinking cup lid with oversized annular gaskets and a pivotally attached closure that accommodates the varying dimensions and irregular surfaces of ceramic and glass cups, ensuring a secure seal and preventing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional travel mug lids with tight tolerances are used, then the lid fits precisely on manufactured travel mugs, but it cannot accommodate household drinking cups with varying dimensions and irregular shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the lid by incorporating oversized annular gaskets that extend beyond the annular wall. This allows the lid to accommodate varying cup dimensions and irregular shapes by providing a larger sealing surface area that can adapt to different mouth opening sizes and geometries of household cups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible annular gaskets made of elastomeric material that can deform and conform to the irregular inner surfaces of household cups. The gaskets' flexibility allows them to adapt to varying cup geometries while maintaining an effective seal, resolving the contradiction between fit precision and adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If household drinking cups are used for travel, then the user can bring their favorite cup, but the cup lacks a secure lid to prevent spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a closure that is pivotally attached to the annular wall, allowing it to rotate between an open position (for filling and cleaning) and a closed position (for spill prevention during travel). This dynamic mechanism enables the cup to transition between accessible and secure states, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a closure as an intermediary component between the lid body and the cup contents. The closure acts as a mediator that can be opened when needed for easy operation and closed to provide reliable spill prevention, allowing the simple household cup to function securely during travel.
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
Enables household drinking cups to be used as travel mugs without transferring beverages, reducing spillage risks and allowing for easy adaptation for travel.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second gaskets extend outward from the annular wall and are configured for sealing engagement with the inner wall of the mouth of the drinking cup
Implementation Method 2
A closure is pivotally attached to the annular wall and configured and arranged to pivot between a closed position, sealing the drinking cup closed, and an open position, opening the drinking cup
Data Source
AI summary
A drinking cup lid is disclosed. The drinking cup lid includes a body with a deck and an annular wall that depends downwards. The annular wall is adapted to insert into a drinking cup. A first gasket and a second gasket extend outward from the annular wall and are configured for sealing engagement with the drinking cup. A closure is pivotally attached to the annular wall and configured and arranged to pivot between a closed position, sealing the drinking cup closed, and an open position, opening the drinking cup.