Cup Lid Gasket and Closure Design for Irregular Mug Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Household drinking cups, such as ceramic and glass mugs, often have varying dimensions and irregular shapes, making it difficult to design a lid that can securely fit and prevent spillage during travel.

Innovation Solution

A drinking cup lid with oversized annular gaskets and a pivotally attached closure that accommodates the varying dimensions and irregular surfaces of ceramic and glass cups, ensuring a secure seal and preventing spills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional travel mug lids with tight tolerances are used, then sealing precision is improved, but adaptability to household cups deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing precisionVSAvoidadaptability to household cups

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the gasket from tight-tolerance conventional dimensions to oversized dimensions with generous clearances. The gasket is designed with a larger outer diameter and width to accommodate the variable dimensions of household cups, transforming the sealing approach from precision-fit to clearance-fit with deformable sealing contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a flexible gasket made of elastomeric material that can deform to conform to the irregular inner surfaces of household cups. This flexible membrane approach allows the sealing element to adapt its shape and dimensions to match varying cup geometries, resolving the contradiction between precision sealing and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If lids with exacting fit are designed, then spillage prevention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespillage preventionVSAvoidease of attachment and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the dimensional parameters to create oversized gaskets with generous clearances relative to the cup opening, eliminating the interference-fit characteristics of conventional lids. This allows the lid to be easily attached and removed by hand without requiring precise alignment or excessive force, while the flexible sealing surfaces maintain reliable spillage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional molding methods are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to irregular shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional accuracyVSAvoidaccommodation of irregular shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible gasket made of elastomeric material that can deform to conform to the irregular inner surfaces of household cups. This flexible membrane approach allows the sealing element to adapt its shape and dimensions to match varying cup geometries, resolving the contradiction between precision sealing and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 household drinking cups to be used as travel mugs without transferring beverages, reducing spillage risks and allowing for easy adaptation for travel.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second gaskets extend outward from the annular wall and are configured for sealing engagement with the inner wall of the mouth of the drinking cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9027774B2Drinking cup lid

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 ECOTOP

AI summary

A drinking cup lid is disclosed. The drinking cup lid includes a body with a deck and an annular wall that depends downwards. The annular wall is adapted to insert into a drinking cup. A first gasket and a second gasket extend outward from the annular wall and are configured for sealing engagement with the drinking cup. A closure is pivotally attached to the annular wall and configured and arranged to pivot between a closed position, sealing the drinking cup closed, and an open position, opening the drinking cup.