Beverage Container Cap with Tactile Open-Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often struggle to determine the correct rotation of beverage container caps for drinking, leading to restricted flow or unintended cap detachment and spills, especially in low-light conditions or while driving, as existing solutions rely on visual markings that can be distracting and difficult to use.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container design featuring a tactile indicator system with circumferentially spaced seal stops and a collar stop that provides a tactile feedback when the cap is properly open, ensuring secure sealing and easy drinking without risk of spillage, utilizing a seal gasket with a notch and inclined ramp seal stops for precise rotation feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual markings are provided on the cap and collar to indicate proper rotation, then users can determine the correct opening position, but this creates a dangerous distraction while driving and is difficult to use in low light situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical information system (visual markings) with a tactile mechanical feedback system. The collar stop and seal stop interact through mechanical engagement to produce tactile feedback, allowing users to determine proper cap rotation through touch rather than sight, thereby eliminating the distraction hazard while driving and improving usability in low light conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements tactile feedback through the interaction between the collar stop and seal stop. When the seal stop engages the collar stop during cap rotation, it provides a distinct tactile signal that indicates the proper opening position has been reached, enabling users to accurately determine cap position without visual assistance.
2Productivity
If the cap is rotated too little, then the flow aperture remains blocked and flow is restricted, but if rotated too much, then the cap may detach and cause spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of rotational position to control the system state. The collar stop and seal stop are positioned to engage at a specific rotational angle, creating a stable equilibrium point that corresponds to the optimal opening position. This mechanical parameter control ensures the cap is rotated to the correct degree to achieve proper flow while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides beforehand cushioning by designing the collar stop to engage the seal stop before the cap can be rotated far enough to detach. This mechanical constraint acts as a protective measure that prevents over-rotation and potential spills, while still allowing sufficient rotation to open the flow aperture adequately.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A beverage container (10) with a tactile indication of a properly open position for drinking. The beverage container (10) includes a base (12, 14), a collar (12, 14), and a cap (14, 16) having an annular seal gasket (38, 3) for opening and closing the container (10) for pouring/drinking. The improvement is a collar stop (54, 56) located on the collar (12, 14), together with a pair of seal stops (56) extending from the seal gasket (38, 3) and forming a notch (58) therebetween. Rotation of the cap (14, 16) to open the container (10) becomes more difficult as the collar stop (54, 56) interferes with the leading one of the seal stops (56). Continued rotation to seat the collar stop (54, 56) in the notch (58) provides a tactile indication that the cap (14, 16) has rotated to the properly open position and further rotation may be avoided.