Disposable Cup Cover with Rotating Flaps for Contamination Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective covers for beverage containers are inadequate in preventing contamination from external substances, particularly in environments where users engage in activities that increase the risk of accidental spills or exposure, such as bars and lounges.
Innovation Solution
Disposable, protective cup covers with concentrically arranged circular markings and perforations that mold around the rim of the glass, providing a secure seal without the need for adhesives and allowing easy passage of straws, made from materials like paper that can be easily manufactured with preformed creases to facilitate folding and adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective cover is placed over the glass opening, then contamination prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components needed for secure attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a main body portion and multiple flap portions that can be independently folded and positioned around the glass rim. This segmentation allows the cover to achieve secure attachment through simple folding actions rather than complex fastening mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap portions are pre-configured with creases and hinge connections that enable them to be folded into position around the glass rim. This preliminary structuring allows the cover to secure itself through simple user manipulation rather than requiring complex attachment devices, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cover is made to mold securely around the glass rim, then contamination prevention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in application and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The flap portions are designed to be movable and flexible, allowing them to be easily folded into position around the glass rim and later unfolded for removal. This dynamic design enables the cover to securely mold around the rim for contamination prevention while maintaining ease of operation through simple folding and unfolding actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover utilizes flexible flap portions made from thin material that can conform to the glass rim shape when folded. This flexibility allows the cover to securely attach for contamination prevention while being easily applied and removed through simple folding motions, resolving the contradiction between secure molding and ease of operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cover material is made disposable and simple like paper, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength deteriorates regarding secure attachment without adhesives
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into multiple flap portions that can be folded and positioned around the glass rim. This segmentation allows simple paper or cardstock material to achieve secure attachment through the mechanical action of folding multiple flaps around the rim, rather than requiring strong adhesive bonds, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving attachment strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap portions are designed to wrap around the curved surface of the glass rim, utilizing the curvature to create friction and mechanical interlocking. This curved configuration allows simple disposable materials to achieve secure attachment without adhesives by conforming to the glass shape, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and attachment strength.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cover for protecting the contents of a drinking container from unwanted contamination. The cover can have a middle portion and a first flap and a second flap extending away from the middle portion. The first flap can be rotatable relative to the middle portion from a first position in which the first flap is generally parallel with and adjacent to the middle portion to a second position in which the first flap extends at an angle away from the middle portion. In some embodiments, when the first flap is rotated to the second position, the first flap can surround at least a portion of an outside surface of the drinking container adjacent to the opening so as to secure the cover to the drinking container to cover the opening of the drinking container.