Collapsible Drinking Container With Flexible Straw and Cleanable Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional collapsible drinking containers with integrated straws face challenges such as difficulty in upright drinking, cumbersome filling and pouring, limited access for cleaning, and increased volume when empty, due to rigid straw structures and small threaded openings.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible container design featuring a straw with a reversible sealing mechanism, a large pour/fill opening sealed with a cap, and an interlocking ridge and groove fastener for the second opening, allowing for independent sealing and easy cleaning, while the container can collapse to reduce volume by altering the orientation of its walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rigid straw is added to a collapsible container, then upright drinking is enabled, but the container cannot collapse properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright drinkingVSAvoidcollapsibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The straw is made from flexible material that allows it to bend and conform as the container collapses, rather than being rigid. This flexible straw can be compressed and bent without breaking, enabling the container to collapse properly while still providing a functional straw for upright drinking when the container is in its expanded state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The straw transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape. The flexible straw can bend and compress during container collapse, then return to its functional position when the container is expanded, allowing the system to maintain both collapsibility and drinking functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a small threaded opening is used, then sealing is reliable, but cleaning access is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidcleaning access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single opening is divided into two separate openings: a small threaded opening for reliable sealing during pouring and filling, and a second larger opening specifically designed for cleaning access. This segmentation allows each opening to be optimized for its specific function without compromise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible container body serves multiple functions: it provides the main sealing surface for the threaded opening, and when opened at the second opening, it allows access to the interior for cleaning. The flexible material enables the container to be manipulated into positions that facilitate cleaning access through the second opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a large opening is used, then cleaning access is improved, but manufacturing complexity and sealing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning accessVSAvoidopening fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning function is separated from the pouring/filling function by creating a dedicated second opening that is optimized for cleaning access. This allows the main threaded opening to remain small and easy to manufacture with reliable sealing, while the second opening can be larger and simpler to fabricate since it only needs to provide access, not a tight seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Volume of stationary object

If the container is made collapsible, then storage volume is reduced, but filling and pouring operations become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidfilling and pouring

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container transitions between collapsed and expanded states dynamically. During filling and pouring operations, the container is expanded to a rigid-like state that facilitates easy pouring and filling. When not in use, it collapses to reduce storage volume. The flexible material and appropriate rigidity allow this dynamic transformation without making filling and pouring cumbersome

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10165849B2Collapsible container with straw

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 CHEN ARIANNA

AI summary

A collapsible, reusable drinking container is provided having a first opening suitable for pouring and filling, a second opening for accessing the interior of the container for cleaning, and a flexible straw for drinking the contents while the container is held in an upright position. The first opening is reversibly sealed with a cap, the second opening with an interlocking ridge and groove fastener, and the straw is reversibly sealed using a plug, a cap, a push-pull cap, a reversibly discontinuous portion of the straw, or an element for reversibly kinking the straw. The straw is attached to the container wall, to the cap for sealing the first opening, or to the fastening strip for sealing the second opening.