Composite Cup Structure With Detachable Insulating Leakproof Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable liquid containers face challenges in heat insulation, structural strength, and cost-effectiveness, with single-layer plastic containers lacking insulation and paper containers being costly and less effective in terms of leakproofing and strength.
Innovation Solution
A composite cup structure combining a plastic inner cup with an outer paper cup, featuring curled edges and a foamed heat-insulating layer, allowing for detachable and recyclable design, and various opening options, manufactured from a 7:3 ratio of recycled paper to plastic for environmental and cost benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer plastic container is used, then ease of manufacturing and cost are improved, but heat insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate cups: an inner plastic cup and an outer paper cup. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function - the plastic cup provides leakproofing and ease of manufacture, while the paper cup provides heat insulation, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines plastic and paper materials into a composite structure. The inner plastic cup and outer paper cup work together to provide both the manufacturing advantages of plastic and the thermal insulation properties of paper, achieving a balance between ease of manufacture and heat insulation performance.
2Temperature
If a paper container is used, then heat insulation is improved, but leakproofing effect and structural strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into an inner plastic cup and an outer paper cup, where the plastic cup specifically handles the leakproofing function while the paper cup provides heat insulation. This functional segmentation resolves the contradiction between heat insulation and leakproofing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By combining plastic and paper materials in a composite structure, the invention achieves both heat insulation from the paper and leakproofing from the plastic, eliminating the trade-off between these two properties.
3Temperature
If multi-layer or thickening design is applied to paper container, then heat insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating complex multi-layer paper structures, the invention segments the container into two separate single-layer cups made of different materials. This approach achieves superior heat insulation through material selection rather than structural complexity, simplifying manufacturing while improving thermal performance.
4Temperature
If foamed heat-insulating layers are combined with plastic container, then heat insulation is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite of plastic and paper materials to achieve heat insulation without requiring expensive foamed layers. The paper cup naturally provides thermal insulation properties, eliminating the need for additional costly insulating materials while maintaining effective heat protection.
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 composite cup achieves excellent heat insulation, leakproofing, and structural strength without condensation, while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, with easy separation and recycling of components.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-insulating layer is set between the inner plastic cup and outer paper cup of said composite cup; the heat-insulating layer is a plastic-foamed layer formed around the body of inner plastic cup
Data Source
AI summary
An improved composite cup structure, which comprising: an inner plastic cup and an outer paper cup; of which the composite cup is manufactured from paper and plastics by a ratio of 7:3; the rims of both inner plastic cup and outer paper cup are provided with outwards curled edges, in particular, the curled edge of the inner plastic cup is slightly larger than that of the outer paper cup, and a flat surface is formed on the top; besides, an extension sheet of any shape is formed on the curled edge towards the cup bottom; when the inner and outer cups are overlapped, the curled edge of the inner plastic cup could cover the curled edge of the outer paper cup, thus forming a heat-insulating, leak-proofing composite cup of excellent strength; the extension sheet contributes to the separation of inner and outer cups for classification and recycling.