Bi-Stable Actuator Valve for Secure Beverage Lid Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container lids for fluid containers, such as coffee cups, do not allow users to securely keep the drinking aperture unsealed, posing a risk of spillage and burns from hot beverages during transit or accidental tilting.
Innovation Solution
A container lid with a resilient deformable valve that can be manually unsealed and locked in an unsealed position using a bi-stable actuator mechanism, allowing temporary unsealing and secure locking of the drinking aperture, preventing accidental resealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a valve is provided to temporarily unseal the drinking aperture, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the aperture cannot be securely kept unsealed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a bi-stable actuator mechanism that allows the valve to transition between two stable states: sealed and unsealed. The actuator includes a resilient body that can be deflected by finger pressure to switch between states, enabling the user to securely lock the aperture in either state. This resolves the contradiction by making the system dynamically adjustable while maintaining reliability in both positions.
2Ease of operation
If the valve is made resilient and deformable for easy actuation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the bi-stable mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the flexible shells and thin films principle by using a resilient valve body made of flexible material that can be deformed by finger pressure. The valve includes a thin, flexible membrane that deflects when actuated, allowing easy operation without requiring complex mechanical components. This approach maintains simplicity while achieving the desired bi-stable functionality.
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 container lid effectively prevents spillage and ensures safe consumption of hot beverages by allowing users to temporarily unseal and securely lock the drinking aperture, reducing the risk of burns and spillage during use.
Implementation Method 1
The body member lid and the valve are formed of a resilient deformable material and the valve is disposed in confronting relation with the bottom surface of the body member
Implementation Method 2
Upon removal of the first mild downward force, the sealing member returns to the free state in which the sealing member generally occludes and generally seals the drinking aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A container lid for a fluid container of a resilient deformable material includes a body member having a drinking aperture; an actuator coupled to the body member via an area surrounding the actuator; and a valve. The lid has a first stable and a second stable state in which the area surrounding the actuator in generally inverted from the first stable state. Upon application of a first force to the top surface of the actuator when in the first stable state, the actuator temporarily deflects the valve to unseal the drinking aperture and upon removal of the first force the valve reseals the drinking aperture and both the actuator and the lid reassume the first stable state. Upon application of a second force to the actuator sufficiently greater than the first force, the lid assumes the second stable state in which the drinking aperture remains unsealed.