Beverage Closure Venting for One-Handed Spill-Safe Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage container lids lack a mechanism to selectively open and close fluid-tight seals efficiently, and they do not effectively manage pressure buildup in containers holding hot liquids, leading to potential spills or sprays when opened.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container closure with a selectively openable stopper and actuating lever that allows for one-handed operation using minimal force, combined with a pressure-venting mechanism that prevents liquid or gas from spraying when opening the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solid unitary lid without openings is used, then the contents are well protected from spilling and environmental exposure, but the user cannot access the contents without removing the entire lid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of contentsVSAvoidaccess to contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into a main body and a separate stopper component. The stopper can be independently opened and closed while remaining attached to the lid body, allowing users to access contents without removing the entire lid. This segmentation enables the stopper to function as a selective barrier while the main lid body remains in place for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a unitary lid with unobstructed apertures is used, then the user can easily access the contents, but the contents may spill if the vessel is inadvertently tipped or dropped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to contentsVSAvoidprotection against spilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is designed as a dynamic component that can transition between open and closed states. When the vessel is stable, the stopper remains open for access. When the vessel is tipped or dropped, the stopper automatically closes or can be quickly closed to prevent spilling, providing adaptive protection based on usage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a lid with selectively openable apertures is used, then the user can selectively open and close the apertures to maintain contents inside, but the lid does not effectively manage pressure buildup from hot liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective closure of aperturesVSAvoidpressure buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid includes a pressure release mechanism that can vent built-up pressure before the user opens the stopper. This preliminary action of pressure relief prevents dangerous pressure accumulation from hot liquids, allowing the stopper to be opened safely without risking spray or explosion of contents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If a complex actuating mechanism is added to enable one-handed operation with minimal force, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveone-handed operation with minimal forceVSAvoidactuating mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating mechanism replaces direct manual manipulation of the stopper with a lever-based mechanical advantage system. The lever arm multiplies the user's input force, allowing one-handed operation with minimal force. This mechanical substitution maintains simplicity by using basic leverage principles rather than complex motors or electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient, one-handed operation of the container while maintaining a fluid-tight seal and prevents pressure-related spills or sprays by using a mechanical advantage lever and venting mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

A user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure may selectively open the stopper... The operation of the actuating lever is discussed below with reference primarily to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

systems and methods for providing pressure venting for a beverage container closure or lid... prevent the spray of liquid or gas from a drink hole or vent hole of beverage container closures when the beverage container closures are opened by a user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11155389B2Beverage container closure with venting

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 PACIFIC MARKET INT LLC

AI summary

A beverage container closure or lid adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be opened by pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the button is released. Thus, the user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. The beverage container closure includes an actuating lever configured to press the button when a user applies a force to the lever. By utilizing the mechanical advantage provided by the lever, a user is able to selectively open and close the stopper using a relatively low amount of force.