Disposable Cup Wall With Integrated Bottom-Mixing Flap

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Solution Overview

Problem

The excessive use of disposable mixing devices contributes to material consumption and environmental pollution, and existing devices often splash beverages when mixing at the bottom of a cup, leading to inefficiency and mess.

Innovation Solution

A disposable beverage cup with an integrated mixing device made of the same material as the cup's wall, featuring a movable flap and tab that allows for efficient mixing at the bottom without splashing, by utilizing an adherent strip and folding lines for movement, enabling both vertical and horizontal mixing motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate disposable mixing device is used, then mixing function is provided, but material consumption and environmental pollution increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing functionVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device is integrated directly into the cup structure, merging two separate objects (cup and mixing device) into one unified disposable unit. The mixing device comprises a flap connected to the cup wall via an adherent strip, eliminating the need for separate mixing utensils while maintaining the mixing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If mixing is performed at the bottom of the cup, then effective mixing is achieved, but beverage splashing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing efficiencyVSAvoidbeverage splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device employs a movable flap that can dynamically adjust its position and motion. The flap is connected to the cup wall through an adherent strip, allowing it to move freely and adapt to the mixing process. This dynamic structure enables effective bottom mixing while controlling beverage splashing through controlled motion rather than rigid stirring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the mixing device is made of the same material as the cup wall, then manufacturing is simplified, but the mixing device may tear during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmixing device durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing device is constructed from foil material, utilizing the inherent flexibility and strength-to-weight ratio of thin metallic films. The flap and adherent strip are formed from the same foil as the cup wall, allowing the structure to be flexible enough for effective mixing while maintaining sufficient strength to prevent tearing during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS8936388B2Disposable beverage cup

Publication Date: 2015.01.20 KOSSOVSKY SHAY

AI summary

A disposable beverage cup, comprising: a wall, in a form of a rolled foil; a bottom; and a mixing device made of substantially the same material as the wall, the mixing device comprising: an adherent strip adhered at a relatively low portion of the wall; a movable flap, extending from the adherent strip, for mixing a beverage; and a tab, extending from the flap substantially to a top of the cup, for moving said flap, wherein a mixing capability of the movable flap disposed at a low portion of the cup is significantly larger than a mixing capability other portions of said mixing device, thereby without tearing the mixing device, mixing substantially the bottom only of the beverage, thereby not splashing thereof.