Ball and Socket Beverage Lid with Friction Hold
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage container covers and lids are complex, difficult to clean, and often require specialized manufacturing, making them expensive and prone to hygiene issues.
Innovation Solution
A ball and socket assembly that allows the cover to be polyaxially rotatable, providing easy use and maintenance while being relatively inexpensive to manufacture, with friction maintaining the cover in open positions without auxiliary support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional covers with multiple components and valves are used, then sealing and beverage retention are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function, the opening/closing mechanism, and the beverage dispensing function into a single integrated lid structure. The flexible membrane forms the sealing surface while the rigid portions provide structural support and define the opening/closing motion, eliminating the need for separate valve components and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the container opening, allows controlled beverage dispensing through its opening/closing motion, and provides structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated flexible membrane and rigid portion design, eliminating the need for separate specialized components.
2Reliability
If conventional covers with numerous components are used, then sealing and beverage retention are improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the sealing membrane with the lid structure itself, the patent eliminates numerous separate components that would create cleaning difficulties. The flexible membrane is directly attached to the rigid portions, forming an integrated assembly with fewer crevices and interstitial zones where debris could accumulate.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is segmented into flexible membrane portions and rigid portions, where the flexible membrane can be easily removed or detached for cleaning. This segmentation allows the sealing surface to be separated from the structural components, facilitating easier cleaning and maintenance while maintaining sealing performance.
3Reliability
If specialized manufacturing structures are used in containers, then lid engagement and sealing are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid design uses universal engagement features that can work with standard container openings without requiring specialized manufacturing. The rigid portions provide structural support and define engagement geometry that can interface with conventional container rims, eliminating the need for costly specialized container manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the container with specialized engagement structures, the patent inverts the approach by incorporating all necessary engagement and sealing features into the lid itself. The rigid portions and flexible membrane combination provides the engagement mechanism, eliminating the need for specialized container manufacturing.
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 solution provides a leak-proof, easy-to-use, and cost-effective cover assembly that is simpler to clean and maintain, reducing the risk of hygiene issues and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an amount of friction within the ball and socket assembly enables the cover to be maintained in the variety of open positions with respect to the beverage container without auxiliary support or assistance
Data Source
AI summary
A cover assembly for a beverage container includes a ball and socket assembly having a ball member and a corresponding socket member. The socket member includes extendable arms that engage the ball member. The ball and socket assembly permits the cover to be polyaxially rotated with respect to the beverage container. The cover is rotatable from a closed position, where the cover is seated against the beverage container, to a variety of open positions, where the cover can be rotated out of view from a user drinking from the beverage container. The ball and socket assembly, in addition, may be configured to maintain the cover in a variety of open positions relative to the beverage container without auxiliary support or assistance.