Beverage Container Lid with Lever-Operated Adjustable Flow Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage container lids lack the ability to adjust flow rates based on liquid temperature, leading to user preferences for slow flow rates for hot liquids and fast flow rates for cold liquids, which existing lids do not effectively accommodate.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with a lever-operated stopper assembly that allows for adjustable flow rates by positioning the stopper relative to the lid body, enabling four modes of operation: closed, hot, cold, and cleaning, with distinct flow rates for each mode, allowing users to select the desired flow rate based on liquid temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed flow rate opening is used in the lid, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different drinking preferences for hot and cold liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a movable stopper assembly that can be positioned at different locations within the lid body to dynamically adjust the flow rate opening size. The stopper is connected to a lever mechanism that allows easy repositioning between a first position (for hot liquids, smaller opening) and a second position (for cold liquids, larger opening), transforming a static structure into an adaptable dynamic system
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is divided into functional segments: a lid body with a flow rate opening, a movable stopper assembly that can be positioned at different locations, and a lever mechanism for controlling the stopper position. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while collectively providing adjustable flow rate capability
2Speed
If a larger flow rate opening is used for cold liquids, then fast drinking is enabled, but hot liquid drinking becomes unsafe due to excessive flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the flow rate parameter by repositioning the stopper assembly within the lid body. When the stopper is in the first position, it creates a smaller flow rate opening suitable for hot liquids (slower flow, safer). When repositioned to the second position, it creates a larger flow rate opening for cold liquids (faster flow, more efficient drinking). This dynamic parameter adjustment eliminates the burn risk while maintaining drinking efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flow rate openings are provided for different temperatures, then flow rate adaptability is improved, but the lid structure becomes more complex and harder to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a flow rate regulator, a temperature adapter, and a cleaning facilitator. By moving a single component (the stopper) to different positions, the system provides different flow rates for different temperatures without requiring multiple separate lids or complex mechanisms. The lever mechanism enables easy repositioning, and the unified structure remains easy to manufacture and clean
Data Source
AI summary
A lid assembly that includes a lid body member, a stopper, and a flow control. The lid body member includes a pouring aperture configured to allow a fluid to flow therethrough. The stopper allows the fluid to flow through the pouring aperture at first and second flow rates when the stopper is positioned in first and second open positions, respectively. The second flow rate is faster than the first flow rate. The flow control is operable to position the stopper in the first and second open positions.