Beverage Container Air-Gap Support for Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage containers fail to effectively insulate both hot and cold liquids while maintaining structural integrity and minimizing volume loss.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container design featuring an outer cup and an inner gap support that creates an insulative air-gap, utilizing spacer ribs and retainer tabs to maintain separation and prevent wedging during stacking, while using thermoformed materials for durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-walled cup structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the insulative performance for both hot and cold liquids deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecup structureVSAvoidinsulative performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cup is divided into two separate components: an outer cup and an inner cup, with the inner gap support creating distinct functional zones. This segmentation allows the outer cup to provide structural integrity while the air gap between the cups provides thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and insulative performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An air gap is introduced as an intermediary layer between the outer cup and inner cup. This air gap acts as a thermal barrier that insulates both hot and cold liquids, preventing direct thermal transfer while maintaining the simplicity of the overall cup structure through the use of spacer ribs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If an insulative air-gap is created between outer cup and inner cup, then the insulative performance improves, but the volume of the container is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulative performanceVSAvoidcontainer volume

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air gap is implemented partially through the use of spacer ribs that create localized insulation zones rather than a complete separation. This partial implementation provides sufficient insulative performance for hot and cold liquids while minimizing the volume loss, as the gaps are concentrated at critical thermal transfer points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Temperature

If spacer ribs are used to maintain the air-gap, then the insulative performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulative performanceVSAvoidspacer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer ribs are merged with the inner gap support structure, combining the spacing function with the structural support function. This integration reduces the number of separate components and simplifies manufacturing, as the spacer ribs are formed as part of the inner gap support rather than as separate elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Strength

If retainer tabs are added to prevent wedging during stacking, then the structural integrity improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidretainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer tabs are merged with the inner gap support structure, combining the retention function with the structural support function. This integration allows the inner gap support to serve multiple purposes: maintaining the air gap, providing structural reinforcement, and preventing wedging during stacking, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Stability of the object's composition

If the inner gap support is retained to the outer cup, then the structural stability improves, but the ease of stacking and separation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidstacking and separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention mechanism is segmented into discrete retainer tabs that engage with corresponding features on the outer cup. This segmentation allows for controlled retention during normal use while enabling easy separation when needed, as the tabs can be disengaged without requiring significant force or complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design effectively insulates both hot and cold liquids, reduces condensation, and minimizes volume loss while providing structural reinforcement and ease of stacking.

Implementation Method 1

the inner gap support is at least partially spaced apart from the outer cup to provide an insulative air-gap between the outer cup and the inner cup so that the beverage container may be used with hot and cold liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12351382B2Beverage container

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 BERRY GLOBAL INC

AI summary

An insulative beverage container includes an outer cup and an inner gap support. The outer cup includes a cup brim, a cup floor, and a cup body. The inner gap support is configured to fit within an interior space of the outer cup and includes a gap-support brim, a gap-support floor, and gap-support body.