Beverage Cup Closure with Rotatable Upper and Lower Member Sealing
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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 and lower member mechanism with internal helical grooves and external tabs, a spring arm mechanism, and a vent, allowing for secure sealing and easy operation without the need for glues or complex components, facilitating cleaning and assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a movable plug mechanism is used to close the drinking opening, then the opening can be selectively opened and closed, but the plug is easily dislodged resulting in inadvertent opening and potential spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into two separate members: an upper member that rotates to cover the drinking opening, and a lower member that remains stationary and provides the seal. This segmentation eliminates the movable plug issue while maintaining selective opening capability through the upper member's rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower members are coupled together through the aperture to function as a single closure unit. The upper member's rotation mechanism is merged with the lower member's sealing function to achieve both selective opening and reliable sealing without a dislodgable plug.
2Reliability
If existing plug mechanisms are used, then the drinking opening can be closed, but the mechanisms are complex with many components making them difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into only two main members (upper and lower), eliminating the need for complex multi-component plug mechanisms. This simplification makes the closure easy to disassemble, clean, and maintain while retaining effective sealing capability.
3Reliability
If complex plug mechanisms are used, then sealing can be achieved, but the mechanisms are difficult or impossible to take apart and reassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is designed as separable segments (upper and lower members) that can be easily taken apart and reassembled. This segmentation enables straightforward maintenance and cleaning while maintaining reliable sealing when assembled.
4Reliability
If existing closure mechanisms are used, then the drinking opening can be sealed, but the mechanisms may require glue or mechanical fixings which are undesirable in reusable beverage cups
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower members are designed to couple together through the aperture using a simple, tool-free connection method that does not require glue or complex mechanical fixings. This merging approach simplifies manufacturing and assembly while maintaining reliable sealing.
Data Source
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).