Cup Shell Elevations and Depressions for Grip and Insulation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cups with multiple layers or wavy designs often have poor tactile properties, leading to uncomfortable gripping, and inadequate insulation, while single-walled cups can be unpleasant to the touch and difficult to handle with hot or cold contents, and they also have limited capabilities for information or advertising printing.

Innovation Solution

The cup design features elevations and depressions over its entire height and circumference, with varying depth and spacing, and an integrally formed mouth roll, allowing for secure gripping, improved insulation, and enhanced printability, including embossed formations and lines that assist convection for temperature regulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a cup is provided with a wavy layer or multiple layers for insulation, then insulation properties are improved, but tactile properties and gripping comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation propertiesVSAvoidgripping comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cup shell is provided with elevations and depressions that are distributed non-uniformly - denser in the gripping zone and sparser toward the mouth end. This local variation creates comfortable tactile zones for gripping while maintaining insulation properties in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is segmented into multiple functional zones along its height: an upper gripping zone with dense elevations and depressions for tactile comfort, and a lower zone with fewer formations for insulation. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a cup is designed with a smooth single layer for easy printing, then printability is improved, but insulation properties and gripping comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveprintabilityVSAvoidinsulation properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cup shell is provided with elevations and depressions that are distributed non-uniformly - denser in the gripping zone and sparser toward the mouth end. This local variation creates comfortable tactile zones for gripping while maintaining insulation properties in the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shell is segmented into multiple functional zones along its height: an upper gripping zone with dense elevations and depressions for tactile comfort, and a lower zone with fewer formations for insulation. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different functions optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If elevations and depressions are added to the cup shell for improved gripping, then tactile properties are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that the depth of elevations and depressions should not exceed 50% of the shell wall thickness, and that the spacing between formations should be at least 2 times the formation height. These parameter constraints ensure that the structuring can be achieved through conventional manufacturing processes without requiring complex equipment or multi-step operations.

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

The design provides a comfortable grip, secure handling of hot or cold contents, and effective insulation while allowing for appealing designs and advertising representation, with reduced thermal transfer and improved printability.

Implementation Method 1

air channels can be produced by the use of lines, with the result that at least the outer side of the shell is kept equalized to the ambient temperature by convection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

very satisfactory insulation is ensured in the case of a multiple-layered cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS9950852B2Cup

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 HUHTAMAKI OY

AI summary

Cup having a base and an adjoining shell, it being possible for the shell to be provided with a mouth roll at its opposite end to the base and to be configured with a single layer or multiple layers, at least one layer of the shell being produced from paper or cardboard or other comparable materials, at least one layer of the shell being provided with elevations and/or depressions substantially over its entire height and at least approximately the entire circumference, the difference in depth between the maximum elevation or depression and the material layer or the depression or elevation varying over the height of the shell and/or over the circumference, and it being possible for the mouth roll to be formed integrally on the inner layer or the only layer.