A beverage cup and closure therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable beverage cups face issues with plug mechanisms that are easily dislodged, fail to seal properly, are complex and difficult to clean, and require undesirable glues or mechanical fixings, leading to leakage and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A closure system for beverage cups featuring a rotatable upper member that, through rotation, lowers and raises a lower member to control the drinking opening, providing a secure seal without complex components or adhesives, with a design that includes helical grooves, spring arm mechanisms, and a vent for air pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a movable plug is used to selectively open and close the drinking opening, then the drinking opening can be controlled, but the plug is easily dislodged resulting in inadvertent opening and potential spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The lower member is nested within the lid structure, with its peripheral flange positioned within the recess formed by the raised rim. This nesting arrangement secures the lower member in place while allowing it to move axially to open or close the drinking opening, preventing dislodgement while maintaining operational control.
2Reliability
If existing plug mechanisms are designed with multiple components, then sealing capability can be achieved, but the mechanisms become complex and difficult to take apart and reassemble for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into distinct functional components: the lid with integrated lower member for sealing, and the upper member for operation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity. The lower member's peripheral flange seals against the raised rim, providing effective sealing without requiring complex gaskets or multiple sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower member is merged with the lid structure, with the peripheral flange formed as an integral part of the lid. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing components and simplifies the overall mechanism, making it easier to clean and maintain while preserving sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If complex plug mechanisms with many components are used, then sealing can be achieved, but the mechanisms require glue or mechanical fixings that are undesirable in reusable beverage cups
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed with clearly defined segments that fit together through geometric interlocking. The upper member engages with the lower member through complementary shapes, and the lower member's peripheral flange fits within the lid's recess. This segmentation allows for simple assembly without adhesives or complex mechanical fixings, while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
4Ease of operation
If the lower member is coupled to the upper member via aperture in the lid, then rotation control can be achieved, but the coupling mechanism adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The upper member features an asymmetric L-shaped drive arm that engages with the lower member's peripheral flange. This asymmetric geometry provides effective rotation control while maintaining simplicity. The L-shaped arm translates rotational motion of the upper member into axial movement of the lower member, controlling the opening and closing action without requiring complex coupling mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A beverage cup (20) and closure (30) assembly (10) is provided. The closure (30) includes a lid (100), an upper member (200), and a lower member (300). The lid (100) includes an aperture (130) and a drinking opening (122). The upper member (200) is located on the outside of the lid (100) and is rotatable between a first position, in which the upper member (200) covers the drinking opening (122), and a second position, in which the drinking opening (122) is unobstructed by the upper member (200). The lower member (300) is located on the inside of the lid (100) and is coupled to the upper member (200) via the aperture (130) and is rotatable by the upper member (200) between a first position, in which lower member (300) closes the drinking opening (122) and a second position in which the drinking opening (122) is unobstructed by lower member (300).