Beverage Container Insulator with Web Closure and Apertures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage container insulators often fail to provide effective thermal insulation, convenience, and versatility in design, limiting their application across different types of beverages and usage scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container insulator featuring a cylindrical body with a web that partially closes one end, apertures for suspension, and a closure assembly with interchangeable indicia patterns on the exterior and interior surfaces, allowing for customizable insulation and messaging based on beverage type, with the ability to fold and reconfigure for different uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional insulator designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal insulation effectiveness is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation effectivenessVSAvoidinsulator structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is divided into multiple functional segments: a cylindrical body for insulation, a web component for structural support and closure, a closure assembly for sealing, and suspension apertures for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving superior thermal insulation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The web is positioned within the cylindrical body and partially closes one end, creating a nested structure where the web is contained within the body. The closure assembly is affixed to the body at one end, further nesting components within each other. This nested arrangement maximizes insulation effectiveness while managing structural complexity through hierarchical organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If simple insulator designs are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but adaptability to different beverage types and usage scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility across beverage types and scenariosVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is designed with multi-functional capabilities: the cylindrical body provides universal insulation for various beverage container sizes, the web can be configured to close one end for different usage scenarios, suspension apertures enable hanging storage, and the closure assembly provides sealing functionality. The interchangeable indicia patterns allow customization for different beverage types, making the same basic structure adaptable to multiple applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator incorporates dynamic elements including the web that can be positioned to partially close one end, creating flexible configuration options. The closure assembly can be engaged or disengaged to seal or open the container. These dynamic features allow the insulator to adapt to different beverage types and usage scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If basic insulator features are used, then device complexity is minimized, but convenience features such as suspension and carrying capabilities are absent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidinsulator feature complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator incorporates self-service features including suspension apertures that enable the insulator to hang from hooks or racks for convenient storage and retrieval without requiring additional equipment. The closure assembly provides self-sealing capability that maintains beverage temperature without active intervention. These features enhance ease of operation while adding only moderate complexity to the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The insulator effectively maintains temperature, provides safe and economical insulation, and allows for versatile use across various beverages and scenarios, including hanging and carrying, while conveying information about the beverage or its container.

Implementation Method 1

A beverage container insulator can include a body, a web, first and second surfaces defined on opposite sides of the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS10717588B2Beverage container insulator
Publication Date: 2020.07.21 LUCHAK PETER W
  • US10717588B2 patent drawing
  • US10717588B2 patent drawing
  • US10717588B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A beverage container insulator can include a body, a web, first and second surfaces defined on opposite sides of the body, a plurality of apertures, and a closure assembly. The body can extend about an axis and have an opening to receive a beverage container. The web can at least partially close a second end of the body to prevent the beverage container from passing fully through the body. The plurality of apertures can be positioned at the second end. The closure assembly can be positioned at the first end and can have first and second closure members affixed to opposite portions of the second surface of the body at the opening. The first and second closure members can be selectively engageable with one another to selectively and substantially close the center of the opening.