Beverage container closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lids for liquid storage vessels either lack control over fluid exit, leading to potential spills when tipped, or have always-open apertures that do not provide insulation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container closure with a selectively openable stopper assembly that includes a stopper with cam followers and an actuating member, allowing for controlled fluid flow and insulation by moving between closed and open positions using a button-activated mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid includes unobstructed apertures for liquid exit, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential spills when the vessel is tipped or dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper assembly is designed to be movable between closed and open positions, allowing the aperture to transition from obstructed to unobstructed state. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between spill prevention (closed) and ease of drinking (open) states, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper assembly incorporates a one-handed actuation mechanism with a button that automatically opens the stopper when pressed and allows it to close automatically when released. This self-service feature eliminates the need for two-handed operation or complex locking mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable spill prevention through automatic closure
2Reliability
If the lid includes a means for selectively opening and closing apertures, then the reliability is improved by preventing spills, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented into distinct functional components: the main lid body, the stopper assembly, the actuating member, and the cam mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while achieving reliable spill prevention through the selective opening and closing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates the simple linear motion of the button actuator into the rotational or linear motion required to open or close the stopper. This intermediary mechanism enables complex stopper control functionality while maintaining a simple user interface, thereby improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Ease of operation
If the apertures are always open, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to reduced insulation from the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper assembly provides dynamic control over aperture openness, allowing the system to switch between open (for access) and closed (for insulation) states. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by enabling thermal insulation to be maintained when the vessel is not in use, reducing energy loss, while still allowing easy access when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper assembly maintains a sealed, insulated state continuously unless actively opened by the user. This continuous insulation action minimizes energy loss throughout the day, with brief interruptions only when drinking occurs. The one-handed actuation mechanism ensures that opening and closing actions are quick and convenient, maintaining the continuity of useful insulation action
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 controlled fluid exit and re-entry, preventing spills and maintaining content insulation, while allowing for easy one-handed operation and cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The stopper includes cam followers and an actuating member with cam surfaces, allowing for controlled fluid flow and insulation by moving between closed and open positions using a button-activated mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively 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 selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a 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.