Drink Cup With Automatic Retractable Straw for Hygiene and Convenience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reusable vacuum flasks and cups often have mismatched bore diameters or capacities with store utensils, making it inconvenient to fill drinks, and lack a practical straw mechanism for optimal beverage consumption.
Innovation Solution
A drink cup with an automatic retractable straw that retracts into the main body when not in use and protrudes when the flip cover is opened, utilizing a connecting member made of silicone and a guide inclined surface for seamless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional cup or vacuum flask is used without an integrated straw mechanism, then the cup structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the user convenience deteriorates because the straw length does not match the cup height and the straw cannot be stored in the cup when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The straw is nested within the cup body when retracted, with the straw stored inside the hollow space of the cup. The connecting member allows the straw to be pulled out from the cup body for use, and automatically returns to the nested position when not in use, solving the storage and length matching problems
Solution Approach 2:
The straw mechanism transitions from a static fixed-length straw to a dynamic adjustable-length straw. The spring-loaded connecting member enables the straw to move between retracted and extended positions, adapting to different usage states and providing optimal drinking experience
2Adaptability or versatility
If the straw is made extendable to match different cup heights, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need for extension mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The straw mechanism is self-operating through the spring-loaded connecting member. When the user opens the flip cover, the straw automatically extends to the appropriate length without requiring manual adjustment or complex extension mechanisms. The spring force automatically returns the straw to its retracted position when not in use
3Speed
If the straw remains protruding when not in use, then the user can quickly access it, but the hygiene and compactness deteriorate because the straw is exposed to contaminants and increases the overall size
Solution Approach 1:
The straw is pre-positioned in a retracted state within the cup body when not in use, protected from external contaminants. The flip cover opening action automatically triggers the straw extension, ensuring the straw only protrudes when needed for drinking, thus maintaining hygiene while enabling quick access
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
Enhances convenience and practicality by ensuring the straw is always optimally positioned for drinking and securely retracts when not in use, maintaining beverage temperature with a vacuum insulation layer.
Implementation Method 1
an inner cup (12) connected to the outer cup (11), and a vacuum insulation layer (13) between the outer cup (11) and the inner cup (12) for blocking the heat conduction from the inner cup (12)
Data Source
AI summary
A drink cup having an automatic retractable straw is disclosed herein. It comprises a main body having an outer cup, an inner cup having a guide inclined surface at a bottom thereof, and a vacuum insulation layer between the outer cup and the inner cup; a lid covered on the main body and having an opening at one side thereof for corresponding to an upper end of the guide inclined surface, a containing groove adjacent to the opening on a top surface thereof, and a flip cover pivotally disposed on the containing groove and having a convex part corresponding to the opening; and a straw accommodated in the inner cup and having a connecting member formed with a first perforation at one end thereof for connecting to an upper end of the straw and a second perforation corresponding to the bonding part of the lid at the other end thereof.