Annular Ridge Locking Feature for Spill-Resistant Travel Cup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional to-go cups with lids are not secure enough to prevent liquid from spilling when in motion, and they often lack adequate thermal insulation, making it uncomfortable to hold hot beverages.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a cup with a beaded rim and a removable lid that engages through locking features, including protruding annular ridges, providing a secure fit and a spout that directs fluid flow to prevent spills, along with the option to be made from thermally insulating materials for ergonomic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional to-go cups with lids are used, then the cup can hold liquid, but the lid is not secure enough to prevent liquid from spilling when in motion
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into multiple functional segments: a flat top surface for stability, a peripheral flange for engagement with the cup rim, and an inwardly protruding annular ridge that locks into a groove on the cup. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function, creating a secure connection that prevents spilling during motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid's inwardly protruding annular ridge nests into a corresponding groove on the cup's outer surface, creating a interlocking mechanism. This nesting relationship ensures the lid remains securely attached to the cup during transport, preventing accidental removal and spillage while maintaining ease of operation.
2Temperature
If thin material is used for to-go cups, then the cup is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but it provides only marginal thermal insulation making it too hot to hold
Solution Approach 1:
The cup is constructed from composite materials that combine structural integrity with thermal insulation properties. This allows the cup to provide adequate thermal protection against hot beverages while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure without requiring additional insulating sleeves or complex multi-layer designs.
3Reliability
If the lid is made to fit securely over the cup, then spillage is prevented, but the lid may become too tight to remove when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The lid-cup connection utilizes a dynamic friction-based locking mechanism rather than a permanent mechanical lock. The inwardly protruding annular ridge creates sufficient friction to prevent accidental removal during motion, but allows intentional removal when needed. This dynamic balance ensures both secure retention during transport and ease of operation when the user needs to access the beverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A container having a cup and a lid, which in turn includes locking features, wherein the lid engages in a secure relation to the cup, is disclosed. In other embodiments, the invention is directed to a container having a lid that fits over an open end of a cup and a lid that fits inversely and inside the open end of a cup. The lid of the invention comprises at least one protruding annular ridge, allowing for secure placement on the cup when the cup is in motion. The lid fits in a complementary (positive/negative) relation to the protruding ridge(s) on the cup. This container is designed for the purpose of being in motion: while walking, driving, and all aspects of travel and carrying. Additional embodiments include novel spout designs for the cup portion and lid portion.