Integrated Cup Flap Lid With Ergonomic Drinking Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable cups with integrated flaps have inconveniently positioned openings that increase the risk of spilling during drinking.

Innovation Solution

A cup design featuring at least four flaps with varying widths, foldable to form a multifaceted lid, including a concave surface and an ergonomically positioned drinking opening, reduces the risk of spilling by enhancing the fit to a user's mouth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flaps are designed to form a lid with an opening for drinking, then the cup allows beverage consumption, but the opening is inconveniently positioned increasing the risk of spilling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrinking convenienceVSAvoidspilling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by creating a multifaceted lid with unevenly positioned opening across different faces. Instead of a symmetric central opening, the drinking opening is positioned on a specific face at an optimized location that asymmetrily aligns with typical drinking mouth positions, reducing spilling while maintaining accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Device complexity

If flaps are connected directly to each other, then the lid structure is simplified, but the risk of damaging the cup during transport increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid structure complexityVSAvoidcup integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lid formation by having each flap connect independently to the sidewall rather than forming a continuous connected structure. This segmentation isolates the stress in each flap-sidewall connection, preventing damage propagation through the entire lid structure during transport while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the base is flat, then the cup is simple to manufacture, but the cup may contact the surface directly causing heat transfer or instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer to surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dimensional change by forming an annular ledge that protrudes from the base plane. This ledge creates a elevated contact surface that separates the base from the supporting surface, providing thermal isolation and stability without complicating the base manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250346391A1Cup for holding a beverage and blank for forming a sidewall with integrated flaps of a cup

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 OYJ HUHTAMAKI

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a cup including a base, a sidewall having a lower end portion connected to the base so that the base and the sidewall together define a space, and at least four flaps that are connected to an upper end portion of the sidewall via respective folding lines. The flaps are foldable relative to the sidewall between an open position, in which the flaps are oriented in parallel to the sidewall, and a closed position, in which the flaps are folded inwards so to form a lid of the cup. The at least four flaps include a first and a second flap having a first width, and a third and a fourth flap having a second width, wherein in the closed position, the at least four flaps define at least two faces of the lid, and wherein the third flap includes a drinking opening.