Conical Glass Cup for Baby Food Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sterilization cups for baby food face challenges in stability, manufacturability, handling, stackability, and labeling due to their shape and lid design, which affects their performance during the sterilization process and storage.
Innovation Solution
A glass beaker with a conical jacket area and a metal lid that eliminates the need for a shoulder, allowing for easy stacking, efficient filling, and accessible labeling, while maintaining stability and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional cylindrical shape with a shoulder area is used, then the cup is easy to manufacture and has simple structure, but the stability during sterilization and stackability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transitioning from a traditional cylindrical shape with a shoulder to a conical shape. The conical configuration with its sloped surface improves stability during sterilization and enhances stackability by distributing forces more effectively, while eliminating the need for a separate shoulder area thus simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cup by replacing the cylindrical configuration with a conical one. This parameter change in the shape profile allows the cup to better withstand sterilization forces and improve stackability without increasing structural complexity, as the conical form integrates the functions previously requiring a shoulder area.
2Ease of operation
If a large mouth area is provided for easy filling, then the filling process is simplified, but the lid becomes larger and subject to greater forces during sterilization and stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The conical shape with its sloped sides gradually reduces the diameter from the mouth toward the base. This curved profile allows for a large mouth area that facilitates easy filling, while the tapering walls provide structural reinforcement that distributes and reduces the forces acting on the lid during sterilization and stacking operations.
3Ease of operation
If a conical jacket area is used, then the spooning process is easier and filling/labeling is simplified, but the transition area requires careful design to maintain stability
Solution Approach 1:
The conical jacket area with its smooth sloped surface enables easy spooning by allowing the spoon to glide along the inner wall. The continuous curved transition from the mouth to the base eliminates sharp angles and discontinuities, simplifying both the spooning operation and the manufacturing process while maintaining structural stability.
4Weight of stationary object
If the glass volume is minimized for cost reduction, then the manufacturing cost decreases, but the stability and load-bearing capacity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conical configuration optimizes the glass volume by creating a shape that tapers from a larger mouth to a smaller base. This curved profile reduces the overall glass material required compared to a cylindrical shape of the same height, lowering manufacturing costs, while the conical form factor enhances stackability by distributing loads more efficiently across the structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The cup (1) has a glass cup (2) including a lid retainer (4) i.e. lip, in a region of an upper opening (3). A metal lid is fastened at the retainer. A casing region (5) lies below the retainer. A shell region (6) is guided upto a bottom (7) of the glass cup below the casing region. The casing region is conically designed. The casing region directly begins below the retainer. The retainer has a height of smaller than 6 mm. The casing region has a casing length ranging between 20 mm and 70 mm. A label is attached on the casing region. The metal lid includes an opening closed by a plastic part.