Container for mixing and drinking a beverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers for mixing and drinking hot beverages face issues with beverage overflow and pressure buildup during preparation, leading to potential steam or beverage escape when the lid is opened for drinking, which can be hazardous.

Innovation Solution

A container with a lid featuring two distinct openings - a beverage outlet and an air port - that can be independently opened or closed to prevent overflow and allow pressure release, respectively, ensuring safe drinking and travel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lid is closed during beverage preparation to prevent overflow, then beverage containment is improved, but pressure buildup occurs leading to potential steam or beverage escape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage containmentVSAvoidpressure buildup
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into two distinct openings with different functions: a beverage outlet opening for drinking and an air inlet opening for pressure equalization. This segmentation allows the lid to simultaneously prevent beverage overflow while enabling pressure release during mixing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air inlet opening acts as an intermediary element that allows air to enter the container during mixing, preventing pressure buildup without compromising the hermetic seal needed to prevent beverage overflow. This intermediary opening resolves the contradiction between containment and pressure management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If the lid is open to let steam or air escape during preparation, then pressure release is improved, but beverage may overflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure releaseVSAvoidbeverage overflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into two separate openings: the beverage outlet opening positioned to prevent overflow, and the air inlet opening positioned to allow steam and air escape. This segmentation enables selective pressure release without compromising beverage containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lid are assigned different functions: the beverage outlet opening is designed with specific positioning and sizing to prevent overflow, while the air inlet opening is positioned and sized to facilitate steam and air escape. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between pressure release and overflow prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single opening is used in the lid for both drinking and pressure release, then device complexity is reduced, but functional versatility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid structureVSAvoidopening functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lid structure is segmented into two distinct openings, each optimized for its specific function. This segmentation increases functional versatility while maintaining relatively simple overall lid structure, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is designed with multi-functionality through two openings that serve different purposes: one for drinking and one for pressure equalization. This universal design allows the single lid component to handle multiple operational requirements without requiring additional parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3585220B1Container for mixing and drinking a beverage
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE SA
  • EP3585220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3585220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3585220B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention concerns a device (1) for mixing, storing and drinking a beverage comprising: - a container body (2), - a mixing device (23) positioned within the container body, - a removable lid (3) comprising: • at least two openings, • one first opening (31) being configured as a beverage outlet, and • one second opening (32) being configured as an air port, said second opening being positioned distant from the edge of the lid, • a first member (41) configured for closing or opening the first opening (31) and movable between a first closing position and a second opening position, • a second member (41) configured for closing or opening the second opening (32) and movable between a first closing position and a second opening position.