Double-Walled Drinking Vessel Rim Assembly With Hidden Gate Vestige
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated drinking vessels lack a thin, aesthetically pleasing rim, and existing manufacturing methods often result in visible vestiges of the molding gate, detracting from the appearance.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a pre-molded ring and outer vessel, where the inner vessel is molded in-situ onto the ring, eliminating the visible vestige of the molding gate by intermingling with the ring's plastic material, and a weld joint is formed between the ring and outer vessel to create a thin, insulating rim.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a pre-molded ring is used to form the rim of the drinking vessel, then the rim can be made thin and aesthetically pleasing, but the molding gate vestige becomes visible and detracts from appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using the molding gate vestige as an anchor point for an in-situ molding process. The vestige is not removed or hidden through traditional means, but rather serves as the foundation for injecting additional plastic material that flows over and conceals it. The harmful visible vestige is converted into a beneficial anchor that enables the homogenization process, transforming a defect into part of the solution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements homogeneity by injecting plastic material into the ring at the location of the molding gate vestige, causing the injected material to intermingle and fuse with the existing ring material. This process creates a visually homogeneous appearance where the vestige and injected material become indistinguishable, eliminating the aesthetic defect while maintaining the thin rim structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate components (ring and vessels) are assembled together, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but visible joints and seams reduce aesthetic quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the separate ring component with the inner and outer vessels through welding processes. The welding creates strong structural joints while the in-situ molding at the ring's vestige location creates a visually continuous surface. This dual approach maintains the manufacturing advantages of separate components while achieving the aesthetic quality of a seamless appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The in-situ molded plastic material acts as an intermediary that bridges the visual gap between the separate ring component and the vessels. This intermediary material flows over the molding gate vestige and creates a homogeneous transition zone that masks the joint, allowing separate components to be assembled while maintaining surface continuity and aesthetic quality.
3Productivity
If traditional molding methods are used for the ring, then production efficiency is maintained, but the molding gate vestige must be removed or covered by additional surface treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by allowing the in-situ molding process to automatically address the molding gate vestige issue. The injected plastic material self-directed flows to the vestige location, intermingles with the existing material, and creates a homogeneous appearance without requiring separate removal or covering operations. This eliminates additional surface treatment steps while maintaining production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical state of the plastic material during the in-situ molding process. The injected material is introduced in a molten or pliable state, allowing it to flow over and intermingle with the ring material at the vestige location. As the material cools and solidifies, it creates a permanent homogeneous structure that eliminates the visible vestige without requiring mechanical removal or additional surface treatments.
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 solution results in an aesthetically pleasing, insulated drinking vessel with a thin rim and improved structural integrity, eliminating the need for separate surface treatments and enhancing the appearance by hiding the molding gate vestiges.
Implementation Method 1
the inner vessel is molded in-situ on the bottom edge portion of the pre-molded ring cause the plastic material thereof to fuse together and intermingle with the plastic material of the ring
Implementation Method 2
the plastic material thereof to fuse together and intermingle with the plastic material of the ring
Implementation Method 3
The top edge portion of the outer vessel is fixedly secured to the bottom edge portion of the ring at a weld joint
Implementation Method 4
form an insulating space between the pre-molded vessel and the in-situ molded vessel
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated drinking vessel, e.g., a wine glass, and a method of making the same is disclosed. The vessel basically comprises a pre-molded outer vessel formed of a plastic material having a sidewall, a pre-molded ring formed of a plastic material, and an inner vessel having a sidewall. The ring includes a bottom end at which the vestige of a molding gate may be located. The inner vessel is formed of a plastic material molded in-situ on the bottom end of the ring to cause portions of the ring's plastic to melt and intermingle with the plastic material of the inner vessel to form a subassembly including a non-superficial homogenous joint between the ring and the inner vessel. The sidewall of the inner vessel of the subassembly is disposed within the sidewall of the outer vessel and the ring is welded to a top portion of the outer vessel to form the rim or lip of the insulated drinking vessel.