Drink Cup Lid Multi-Seal Structure for Spill and Removal Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink cup lids fail to effectively prevent liquid flow and unwanted removal, leading to spills and improper sealing.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a cup with radially inward and outward annular seal surfaces and a lid with multiple seal rings and blocker walls that engage these surfaces to create liquid flow barriers and prevent lid removal, ensuring secure closure and containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single seal ring is used in the lid, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to insufficient liquid flow barriers
Solution Approach 1:
The single seal ring is segmented into multiple seal rings (first seal ring, second seal ring, third seal ring, and fourth seal ring) arranged at different radial positions. Each seal ring creates a separate liquid flow barrier, collectively providing comprehensive sealing coverage across multiple annular seal surfaces to prevent liquid leakage reliably.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system transitions from a single-point seal to a multi-dimensional seal by arranging seal rings at different radial dimensions and engaging different annular seal surfaces (first annular seal surface, second annular seal surface, third annular seal surface, and fourth annular seal surface), creating a three-dimensional sealing network that blocks liquid flow from multiple directions.
2Reliability
If no lid retention structure is provided, then the ease of operation is improved for lid removal, but the reliability of preventing unwanted lid removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Lid-removal blocker walls are pre-configured in the lid structure to engage with corresponding features on the cup before any unwanted removal can occur. These blocker walls create mechanical interference that prevents the lid from being accidentally dislodged during normal use, while still allowing intentional removal when needed.
3Reliability
If multiple seal rings are implemented, then the liquid flow barrier effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seal rings are merged into a single integrated lid component rather than being separate parts. This consolidation allows all seal rings to be manufactured simultaneously as one piece, reducing assembly steps and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the multi-barrier sealing effectiveness against liquid flow.
4Reliability
If the lid structure is simplified, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the sealing performance deteriorates due to insufficient engagement with annular seal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The lid structure incorporates localized sealing features (seal rings positioned at specific radial locations) that engage with corresponding annular seal surfaces on the cup. Each seal ring provides localized sealing quality tailored to its specific engagement point, ensuring optimal sealing performance at each interface without requiring complex overall lid design.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a brim forming an opening into a liquid reservoir chamber formed in the cup. A lid is coupled to the brim to form more than one seal with the container. The lid includes lid-removal blocker walls arranged to engage undercuts formed in the cup to retain the lid in a mounted position on the cup closing the opening into the liquid reservoir chamber.