Beverage container insulator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage container insulators lack the ability to efficiently convey information about the type and quantity of beverages while providing insulation, and they often require multiple units for different types of drinks.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container insulator with foldable panels and indicia on both exterior and interior surfaces that can be configured to expose different messages based on the beverage type, allowing a single unit to insulate various beverages and provide nutritional information, along with apertures for hanging or suspension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional insulators use a single exterior message, then manufacturing is simple, but the insulator cannot convey information about different beverage types and quantities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage information conveyanceVSAvoidinsulator structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is divided into multiple panel portions (first panel, second panel, third panel, fourth panel) that can be folded independently. Each panel can display different indicia, allowing the insulator to convey multiple pieces of information (beverage type, quantity, temperature) without requiring a completely different insulator for each beverage variety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator incorporates foldable panels that can be dynamically configured to expose different sets of indicia. The panels can be folded in various configurations (e.g., first and second panels folded toward each other, third and fourth panels folded toward each other) to display different beverage information based on the specific beverage being insulated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If multiple insulator units are used for different beverages, then beverage information is accurately conveyed, but cost and device quantity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage type identificationVSAvoidnumber of insulator units

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A single insulator unit is designed to serve multiple functions by displaying different beverage information through its foldable panels. The same insulator can be used for different beverage types (soda, water, beer), quantities (12-pack, 24-pack, case), and temperature conditions by simply folding the panels in different configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized insulator units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If indicia are positioned on the insulator, then beverage information is conveyed, but the insulator requires additional manufacturing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutritional information displayVSAvoidinsulator production

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The indicia are pre-positioned on the insulator panels during manufacturing in specific orientations and locations. The panels are prepared in advance with the correct information (beverage type, quantity, nutritional data) printed or attached in the proper positions, so that when the panels are folded during use, the information is automatically displayed in the correct orientation without requiring additional assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the insulator uses a folded panel configuration, then multiple messages can be exposed, but the insulator structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage type adaptationVSAvoidpanel folding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator utilizes flexible panel portions that can be easily folded and reconfigured. The panels are made from flexible materials that allow them to be folded toward each other or positioned in different configurations without requiring complex hinges, joints, or mechanical fastening mechanisms. This flexibility enables multiple message displays while keeping the structural complexity minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 safe, convenient, and economical insulation of beverages while conveying relevant information about the beverage type and quantity, allowing a single unit to serve multiple purposes and adapt to different beverages.

Implementation Method 1

Beverage container insulator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP3480133B1Beverage container insulator

Publication Date: 2019.11.27 LUCHAK PETER W

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AI summary

A beverage container insulator (10) includes a body defining a cylinder with an opening (42) at a first end and a web (18) closing a second end. An interior surface defined by the body can receive a beverage container. An exterior surface is defined by the body opposite to the interior surface. The beverage container insulator includes a first pattern (44) of indicia positioned on the exterior surface. The first pattern forms readable text oriented such that a bottom edge of the readable text is positioned closer to the web than the opening. The beverage container insulator also includes a second pattern (50) of indicia positioned on the interior surface. The second pattern forms readable text oriented such that a bottom edge of the readable text is positioned closer to the opening than the web.