Integrated Cup Flap Lid Geometry for Spill-Resistant Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable cups with flaps designed to form a lid often position the drinking opening inconveniently, increasing the risk of spilling during use.
Innovation Solution
A cup design featuring at least four flaps with varying widths, allowing for a multifaceted lid configuration that better adapts to a user's mouth, including a concave surface and an ergonomically positioned drinking opening, and a base that rests on an annular ledge for stable placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flaps are designed to form a lid with an opening, then the lid can be formed to cover the cup, but the opening is inconveniently positioned for the user, increasing the risk of spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the flaps of different widths (first and second flaps have a first width, third and fourth flaps have a second width, where first width > second width). This asymmetric design causes the lid to form a tilted surface that angles toward the user's mouth, naturally positioning the drinking opening at a more convenient location and reducing spilling risk during operation
2Ease of operation
If the flaps are made with equal widths for simplicity, then the manufacturing is easier, but the lid cannot adapt ergonomically to the user's mouth, increasing spilling risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different widths to different flaps based on their specific functional roles. The first and second flaps have a larger width to form the main body of the lid, while the third and fourth flaps have a smaller width to create the tilted ergonomic surface. This localized differentiation enables ergonomic adaptation without requiring complete redesign of all components
3Stability of the object's composition
If the flaps are connected directly to each other, then the lid structure is more rigid, but the folding process becomes more complex and prone to damage during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lid into four separate flaps that are not directly connected to each other, but rather connected individually to the cup body. This segmentation allows each flap to fold independently during the closing process, simplifying the manufacturing steps and reducing the risk of damage during transport, while still forming a stable lid structure when closed
Data Source
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AI summary
A cup (1) for holding a beverage, comprising a base (2), a sidewall (3) having a lower end portion (4) connected to the base so that the base and the sidewall together define a space configured for receiving the beverage; and at least four flaps (11,12,13,14) that are connected to an upper end portion of the sidewall via respective folding lines, the flaps being foldable between an open position, and a closed position; the at least four flaps comprise a first and a second flap (11,12) having a first width, and a third and a fourth flap (13,14) having a second width, wherein the first width is larger than the second width, wherein in the closed position, the at least four flaps define at least two, preferably at least three, faces of the lid, and wherein the third flap comprises a drinking opening.