Cup lid and container using the cup lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup lids require two-handed operation and fail to maintain air pressure balance, leading to spillage and difficulty in opening, especially in unstable conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cup lid design featuring a rotatable auxiliary lid body with an air guide slot and air vent that maintains external communication, allowing one-handed operation and balanced air pressure, with limited rotation angles to prevent excessive opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a push button type cup lid with movable cover is used, then one-handed operation is enabled, but water splashing occurs when the movable cover is pressed to eject from closed to opened state
Solution Approach 1:
The lid body is designed to rotate dynamically between closed and opened states around a rotation axis. This rotational movement allows the lid to transition smoothly from closed to opened state by rotating the auxiliary lid body, enabling one-handed operation while controlling water flow to prevent splashing
Solution Approach 2:
The air guide slot acts as an intermediary channel that communicates with the external environment. It allows air to enter or exit the container, balancing air pressure during the opening/closing process and preventing sudden pressure changes that could cause water to splash out
2Extent of automation
If a spring mechanism is used to open the movable cover, then automatic opening is achieved, but it becomes difficult to open the lid after the spring is aged
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead of using a spring to automatically open the movable cover, the invention relies on the rotational movement of the auxiliary lid body relative to the main lid body, eliminating the reliability issues associated with spring aging
Solution Approach 2:
The lid system is designed to be manually operated by the user through rotational movement. The user directly controls the opening and closing by rotating the auxiliary lid body, making the system self-service without relying on aging mechanical components like springs
3Reliability
If a sealing effect is achieved between the cup lid and cup, then water leakage is prevented, but it becomes difficult to open the cup lid when hot water is cooled after a long period due to air pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The air guide slot serves as an intermediary air channel that allows air to communicate between the container interior and external environment. This enables air pressure equalization during opening/closing operations, preventing the vacuum effect that occurs with tight sealing, while still maintaining adequate sealing to prevent water leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The lid transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic rotational movement. By rotating the auxiliary lid body, the air guide slot dynamically opens to equalize air pressure, making it easy to open even after hot water has cooled, while maintaining sealing when closed
4Ease of operation
If the cup lid is completely opened after being opened, then easy access to water is achieved, but water easily spills out from the opened cup wetting users and surroundings during shaking and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The lid uses controlled rotational movement around a rotation axis instead of complete opening. The auxiliary lid body can rotate to an opened state that provides sufficient access to water while maintaining a controlled opening angle, preventing water from spilling during shaking or vibration
Solution Approach 2:
The water passing port is specifically positioned and sized to provide adequate water access while limiting the opening area. This localized control of the opening geometry allows water access when needed while reducing the risk of spilling during vibration or shaking
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy one-handed opening and closing of the lid, reduces spill risk, and maintains air pressure balance, enhancing user convenience and safety, particularly in unstable environments.
Implementation Method 1
the air vent is always in communication with the external environment, and therefore air pressure in and out of the container is always balanced
Data Source
AI summary
A cup lid that facilitates convenient operation by allowing effort saving opening of a water passing hole by using only one hand, wherein the cup lid has a main lid and an auxiliary lid; an upper surface of the main lid has the water passing hole and an air vent; the auxiliary lid is rotatably mounted on the upper surface of the main lid, and being axially limited with respect to the main lid. Rotation of the auxiliary lid will cause a water passing port disposed thereon to open or close the water passing hole; the auxiliary lid also has an air guide slot in which the air vent can slide therein when the auxiliary lid rotates, and the air guide slot is in communication with an external environment. A container using the cup lid is also provided.