Beverage container and lid assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beverage containers lack the ability to mix multiple flavors and adjust the strength of the mixture without changing the composition of the reservoir liquid, limiting user flexibility and requiring drainage and refilling for flavor changes.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that incorporates a cap assembly with concentrate vessels, a Venturi mixer, and mixing valves to allow selection and metering of beverage concentrates, enabling mixing and adjustment of the mixture composition without altering the reservoir liquid, using a straw to create differential pressure for mixing and backflow valves to prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional beverage containers use a simple cap or spout design, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability and versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The concentrate vessels are nested within the cap assembly, with each concentrate container housed in its own compartment within the cap structure. This allows multiple concentrates to be stored integrated within the cap without requiring separate external containers, achieving flavor variety while maintaining a compact single-unit design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valves are designed to be dynamically adjustable by the user, allowing real-time control over the flow rate and mixing ratio of different concentrates. This dynamic adjustment capability enables users to customize mixture strength and flavor composition on-demand, significantly enhancing adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reservoir liquid is drained and refilled to change flavors, then the adaptability to different flavors is improved, but the loss of time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple concentrate vessels are pre-loaded into the cap assembly before use. Each concentrate is sealed in its own container within the cap, ready for immediate dispensing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for drainage and refilling operations, as users can simply switch between pre-loaded concentrates by adjusting the mixing valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as the closure for the reservoir, houses multiple concentrate containers, provides mixing control through adjustable valves, and enables on-demand flavor switching. This multi-functionality consolidates what would traditionally require separate operations (closing, storing concentrates, mixing, and flavor changing) into a single integrated unit.
3Device complexity
If concentrates are added directly to the reservoir, then the device complexity is reduced, but the purity of the reservoir liquid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the concentrate storage and delivery function from the main reservoir by placing concentrates in separate sealed vessels within the cap assembly. Each concentrate is contained in its own dedicated container with its own feed line and mixing valve, preventing contact with the reservoir liquid until the moment of controlled dispensing through the Venturi mixer.
Solution Approach 2:
The Venturi mixer acts as an intermediary device that combines the reservoir liquid with concentrates only at the point of dispensing. The mixing occurs in the Venturi chamber rather than in the reservoir, and the mixed beverage is delivered through the straw. This intermediary mixing approach preserves the purity of the reservoir liquid while still enabling flavor customization.
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 the creation of multiple flavor combinations and adjustable mixture strengths without changing the reservoir liquid, allowing users to drink unflavored liquid or add concentrates as needed, with the option to mix different concentrates for desired flavors like lemon-tea, while maintaining the purity of the reservoir liquid.
Implementation Method 1
The concentrate feed needle may be in fluid communication with a Venturi mixer
Implementation Method 2
Suction applied to the straw may produce a differential pressure that draws and mixes the reservoir liquid and the concentrate(s) from the concentrate vessel(s)
Implementation Method 3
The backflow valves may reduce and/or prevent the Venturi mixture from leaking into the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage container may comprise a beverage container lid assembly comprising at least one concentrate well to hold a concentrate vessel, a concentrate vessel retainer for each concentrate well to secure the concentrate vessel in the concentrate well, a feed line for each concentrate well comprising a feed line needle to puncture the concentrate vessel in the at least one concentrate well, a Venturi mixer in fluid communication with each feed line, a mixing valve in fluid communication with each feed line, wherein fluid flows from the concentrate vessel to the Venturi mixer when the mixing valve is open and the concentrate vessel is punctured by the feed line needle. Methods of using the beverage container and beverage container lid assembly are also described.