Beverage Lid Stopper Assembly for Spill Prevention and Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lids for liquid storage vessels either lack control over fluid exit, leading to potential spills when tipped, or have always-open apertures that do not provide insulation.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container closure with a selectively openable stopper assembly and air vent, featuring a flexible seal and cam follower mechanism, allowing controlled fluid flow and automatic resealing, along with a dust cover for protection when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid includes unobstructed apertures for liquid exit, then ease of operation is improved, but spill prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a movable stopper that can be selectively positioned to open or close the aperture. This dynamic component allows the aperture to transition between open and closed states, enabling users to easily drink when needed while automatically preventing spills when the container is tipped or dropped.
2Ease of operation
If the lid includes always-open apertures, then ease of operation is improved, but insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper assembly provides dynamic control over the aperture, allowing it to be closed when insulation is needed. When the stopper is in the closed position, it seals the aperture and prevents thermal exchange between the beverage and external environment, thereby maintaining temperature and improving insulation performance.
3Reliability
If the lid includes a selective closure mechanism, then spill prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into functional segments: a main body, a separate stopper assembly, and a dust cover. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design. The stopper assembly itself is segmented into a stopper, biasing member, and cam follower mechanisms that work together to provide automatic spill prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper assembly incorporates a biasing member that automatically returns the stopper to the closed position after use. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable spill prevention.
4Temperature
If the aperture is always closed, then insulation performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper can be easily moved between closed and open positions by the user, providing dynamic access to the liquid while maintaining insulation when closed. The dust cover also provides easy rotational access to the opening while preserving insulation during transport.
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
Enables controlled drinking and spill prevention while maintaining insulation, allowing for easy one-handed operation and secure closure to prevent spills and environmental exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member positioned within the hollow interior region and operative to bias the stopper toward the closed position
Implementation Method 2
cam follower mechanism, allowing controlled fluid flow and automatic resealing
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage container closure or lid that is adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is selectively couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be selectively opened by a user by the user pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the user releases the button. Thus, a user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container.