Collapsible vessel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collapsible vessels tend to leak due to their design, struggle to maintain an extended configuration under pressure, and lack effective insulation for hot beverages, making them unsafe and inefficient for containing liquids, especially hot drinks.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible vessel with interconnected tubular sections that can expand and lock securely using a rotational force, featuring a double-walled structure with a silicone seal to prevent leaks and provide thermal insulation, allowing safe use with hot beverages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the vessel is made collapsible to enable compact storage and transport, then the volume and portability are improved, but the vessel develops leakage issues and cannot maintain extended configuration under pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollapsed volumeVSAvoidleak-proof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel is divided into multiple telescopic sections (first section, second section, third section) that can slide relative to each other. Each section has sealing surfaces that interface with adjacent sections, allowing the vessel to collapse into a compact form while maintaining sealed connections between sections to prevent leakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Locking mechanisms are pre-positioned on the telescopic sections to automatically engage when the vessel is extended. These locking means are designed to secure the sections in their extended configuration, maintaining structural integrity and preventing collapse under pressure before the vessel is even put to use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the vessel uses a single-walled structure for simplicity, then the device complexity is reduced, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates making hot beverages unsafe to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewall structure complexityVSAvoidthermal burn risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel employs a double-walled structure where an inner wall container is nested within an outer wall container. The inner wall holds the hot beverage while the outer wall provides thermal protection. The space between the walls acts as thermal insulation, allowing users to safely handle the vessel even when containing hot liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Temperature

If different materials with different thermal expansion properties are used to achieve insulation, then thermal insulation is improved, but the vessel becomes difficult to manufacture as a leak-proof collapsible structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing surfaces between telescopic sections and between walls are designed with specific geometric parameters including tapered profiles and complementary mating surfaces. These parameter changes allow different materials with different thermal expansion properties to be joined effectively, accommodating thermal expansion differences while maintaining seal integrity during manufacturing and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 vessel remains leak-proof and thermally insulated, ensuring safe handling and retention of hot beverages, while easily collapsing for transport, addressing the issues of leakage and insulation in existing collapsible containers.

Implementation Method 1

at least one section comprises a circumferential ring, which provides a seal between the inner wall of one section and the outer wall of an adjacent section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

The double-walled nature of the vessel also results in significantly improved thermal insulation characteristics

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the vessel comprises locking means configured to be reversibly locked while the vessel is in the extended configuration upon the application of a rotational force to at least one section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical locking: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11767148B2Collapsible vessel

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 JOI LTD

AI summary

A collapsible vessel for containing fluid comprises at least two interconnected tubular sections which are configured to move axially with respect to each other upon application of a substantially axial force thereto. The vessel is manipulatable between a collapsed configuration in which the sections are substantially nested to form a tube having a first length and an extended configuration in which the sections form a continuous tube having a second length which is greater than the first length. The vessel comprises locking means configured to be reversibly locked while the vessel is in the extended configuration upon the application of a rotational force to at least one section.