Beverage Lid Rim and Spout Structure for Leak-Safe Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art disposable lids for beverage containers are prone to leakage and spillage due to inadequate sealing, instability when stacked, and poor design for easy use, leading to unnecessary waste and sanitation issues.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a circular disk member featuring a circumferential rim with annular ribs for secure sealing, visual cues for proper fit verification, and a sipping spout with a curved rear surface for stable stacking, ensuring a secure fit and preventing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the lid is made with a simple annular rim structure, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but the sealing reliability and fastening strength deteriorate causing leakage and spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential rim is segmented into multiple functional components: an outer peripheral surface for engagement with the container rim, an inner peripheral surface for sealing engagement, and multiple radially spaced ribs extending between them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving overall sealing reliability without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid structure employs asymmetry by positioning the aperture at a distance from the proximal most location of the lid, creating an asymmetric layout that prevents the user's bottom lip from contacting irregular surfaces. Additionally, the circumferential rim has different characteristics on its inner and outer surfaces, with the inner surface including sealing features that engage with the container rim in a specific orientation.
2Device complexity
If the aperture is positioned close to the annular wall for compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates causing poor drawing surface and increased spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is extracted from the proximal most location of the lid and repositioned at an optimized distance from the annular wall. This extraction allows the aperture to be positioned in a location that provides a smooth, regular surface for the user's bottom lip to contact when drawing liquid, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Device complexity
If the lid is designed without stacking support features, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability when stacked deteriorates causing lids to fall and become unsanitary
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential rim serves multiple functions: it provides sealing engagement with the container rim, structural support for the lid, and stacking support features that enable stable stacking of multiple lids. The outer peripheral surface and ribs of the circumferential rim create engagement features that allow lids to stack securely without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Device complexity
If the lid lacks visual inspection features, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates making it difficult to assess proper securing
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates visual inspection features that allow users to quickly and accurately assess whether the lid is properly secured to the beverage container. These features may include color-coded elements, transparent sections, or visual indicators that change appearance based on the securing status, enabling easy verification without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lid for securing to the brim of a container, the lid including a container closure having a disk shaped member with a periphery for mating with the brim of the container. The periphery includes annular inner and outer side walls with at least one annular rib disposed on each of the inner and outer side walls. The ribs of the annular walls form a gripping area to secure the lid to the container for preventing leaks and accidental spillage.. A top wall interconnects the inner and outer side walls and includes visual cues for viewing the brim of the container when the lid is affixed to the brim. The lid additionally includes a pronounced wedge shaped sipping spout projecting upwards from the container closure. The container closure includes a circular indented channel for stacking one lid covered cup over another with additional stability provided by the sipping spout.