Drink-Through Lid Lip Structure for Spill-Free Consistent Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking vessel lids often lead to spillage and inconsistent liquid flow, especially with small volumes, due to their design requiring additional recesses for securing and sealing, which trap residual fluid and create gaps for pooling.
Innovation Solution
A drink-through lid design where the drinking lip extends to abut both the outer and inner surfaces of the cup, eliminating the need for a separate outer recess, providing a simplified profile, consistent flow, and preventing fluid trapping by creating a seal against the inner surface, allowing for easy manufacturing and cost reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate outer recess is added to secure the lid to the cup, then the lid is securely attached to the beverage cup, but the lid profile becomes more complex and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the attachment function and sealing function into a single integrated lip structure. The drinking lip extends to engage both the outer surface and inner surface of the cup, eliminating the need for a separate outer recess. This merging of functions simplifies the lid profile while maintaining secure attachment.
2Reliability
If a separate outer recess is added to secure the lid to the cup, then the lid is securely attached to the beverage cup, but manufacturing ease and cost are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is merged with the drinking lip structure, eliminating the need for separate molding operations for an outer recess. The single integrated structure can be manufactured in one process, improving ease of manufacture and reducing costs.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the annular recess is sealed against the inner surface of the cup, then residual fluid trapping is prevented, but the sealing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the drinking lip structure. The same lip that engages the outer surface also engages the inner surface to provide sealing, eliminating the need for a separate sealing mechanism and keeping the structure simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The drinking lip performs multiple functions: it provides structural support for drinking, secures the lid to the cup by engaging the outer surface, and prevents residual fluid trapping by sealing against the inner surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional complexity.
4Device complexity
If the drinking lip is formed by converging raised portions of outer and inner walls, then fluid sealing is achieved without additional components, but the molding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking lip is segmented into distinct functional zones: the outer wall engagement portion, the inner wall sealing portion, and the converging raised portions. This segmentation allows the complex geometry to be achieved through a single molding process by defining different regions with specific functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised portions of the walls converge at different positions and angles to create the sealing geometry. By controlling the height, position, and convergence angle of the raised portions, the desired sealing function is achieved through geometric parameter optimization rather than additional components.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A drink through lid (1) attachable to a beverage cup (30) comprising a drinking lip (10), such that an outer surface of the drinking lip (10) extends about and abuts an outer surface of the cup (30) and an inner surface of the drinking lip (10) extends about and abuts an inner surface of the cup (30).