Cup Lid Can-Suspension Structure for Hygienic Insulated Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a hygienic and insulating solution to drink from aluminum cans without direct contact, especially in unsanitary conditions, while also disguising the beverage type and maintaining temperature.
Innovation Solution
A lid that suspends the beverage can within a disposable coffee cup, using a securement ring with tabs to grasp the can's rim and a gasket for a liquid-tight seal, allowing beverage flow through a drinking aperture, providing insulation and a comfortable drinking experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user drinks directly from an aluminum can, then the beverage can be consumed easily, but the user's lips contact potentially unsanitary surfaces and the can's temperature cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disposable cup as an intermediary container between the user's lips and the aluminum can. The cup receives beverage poured from the can, allowing users to drink from the cup instead of directly from the can. This intermediary solution eliminates direct contact with the can's rim (hygiene issue) and allows the can to remain insulated within the cup (temperature maintenance), thus resolving both harmful factors while preserving ease of consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs nesting by placing the aluminum can inside the disposable cup. The can is inserted into the cup's interior, with the cup's lid sealing around the can's rim. This nested configuration allows the can to remain hidden and thermally insulated within the cup while the user drinks from the cup's opening, simultaneously addressing hygiene concerns and temperature maintenance without compromising beverage accessibility.
2Temperature
If a koozie is used to insulate the can, then the beverage temperature is maintained, but the user must still contact the can directly and the beverage type may be disclosed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the insulated can (with or without koozie) inside the disposable cup. The cup's lid seals around the can's rim, creating a nested structure where the can is hidden within the cup. This allows the can to remain thermally insulated while the user drinks from the cup's opening, eliminating direct contact with the can and concealing the beverage type (e.g., beer or soda) behind the coffee cup appearance, thus resolving both contact and privacy issues while maintaining temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the visual camouflage provided by the disposable cup, which typically has the appearance and branding associated with coffee cups. By hiding the actual beverage can (which may indicate alcohol or soda) inside this visually deceptive container, the user's beverage choice remains concealed from observers. The cup's exterior appearance does not reveal the true contents, providing privacy while the can inside maintains its temperature through insulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the can is stored in public places, then beverage portability is improved, but hygienic conditions deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the beverage system into two separate components: the aluminum can for transport and storage, and the disposable cup for consumption. The can can be stored in public places or carried conveniently, while the disposable cup (with its own lid) serves as a hygienic barrier during drinking. This segmentation allows the can to be portable while the cup provides a sanitary interface between the user's lips and the potentially contaminated can, thus resolving the portability-hygiene contradiction.
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 safe, hygienic consumption of beverages by keeping the can insulated and hidden within a cup, maintaining temperature and preventing direct contact with potentially unsanitary cans, while allowing users to drink comfortably without being detected.
Implementation Method 1
A gasket seals the circumference of the circular ring against the beverage can
Implementation Method 2
This is typically a cylindrical insulated foam sleeve into which the can fits snuggly, to thermally insulate the can from external heat
Data Source
AI summary
A lid for a disposable coffee cup is provided which permits a user to drink from a beverage can, such as a beer or pop can, suspended within the interior of the disposable coffee cup. The lid has an outer rim which engages with the rim of the disposable cup. It also has an inner circular attachment ring attached to the inner surface of the lid which has tabs to grasp the rim of the beverage can and form an upper chamber through which the beverage can flow from the beverage can opening to the lid's drinking aperture. The beverage flows from the beverage can through the lid aperture when the cup is tipped. The user can thereby drink from the beverage can without the user's lips touching the can surface. Also it appears to an observer that the user is drinking from the disposable cup, not the beverage can, and also the beverage can is insulated to keep it cold.