Drink-through Lid With Flexible Membrane and Vent Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink-through lids for beverage containers often fail to prevent spills during transport while allowing drinking, requiring the removal of stoppers or tabs, and lack a compact, easy-to-install, and cost-effective design that minimizes spills and allows resealing.
Innovation Solution
A drink-through lid with integrally fabricated spill-resistant features, including a base with a rim and a raised lip portion, a flexible structure with slits and hinges that can be reversibly positioned between open and closed states, allowing liquid to flow when needed and preventing spills when closed, using a stiffener and panels for structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drink outlet opening is provided in the lid to allow drinking, then ease of operation is improved, but liquid spillage increases during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The lid incorporates a movable flexible membrane that can dynamically transition between open and closed states. The membrane is positioned over the drink outlet and can be displaced to allow drinking, then returns to its original position to seal the outlet and prevent spillage during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane made of elastomeric material is used to cover the drink outlet. This thin film can be easily displaced by user pressure to open the outlet for drinking, and its elastic properties allow it to return to its sealed position, effectively preventing liquid escape during transport while maintaining ease of access.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a stopper or plug is used to seal the drink outlet to prevent spills, then liquid spillage is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates as the stopper must be removed to drink
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the separate stopper component and integrates its sealing function directly into the lid structure through a flexible membrane that is permanently attached. This eliminates the need to remove a separate plug while maintaining the sealing function, allowing users to simply press the membrane open for drinking.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function previously requiring a separate removable stopper is merged with the lid body itself through the flexible membrane. This integration allows the seal to be both effective and easily opened by simple pressure, combining the spill prevention benefit with improved ease of operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible structure with moving parts is added to enable spill prevention while allowing drinking, then liquid spillage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a simple flexible membrane made of elastomeric material that can be molded directly into the lid structure. This single-component flexible element provides both sealing and opening functionality without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, multiple parts, or intricate mechanisms, thus minimizing device complexity while achieving spill prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is constructed using composite materials, particularly elastomeric materials that combine flexibility and sealability in a single substance. This allows the flexible membrane to be molded as an integral part of the lid, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining effective spill prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple components are used to achieve spill resistance and drinkability, then liquid spillage is prevented, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions (sealing, drinking access, and structural support) into a single integrated lid component. The flexible membrane is molded as an integral part of the lid body, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective spill prevention and drinkability.
Solution Approach 2:
By using elastomeric composite materials that can be molded in a single manufacturing process, the invention achieves complex multi-functional geometry without requiring multiple assembly steps. The flexible membrane and rigid lid structure are formed as one piece, significantly simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired spill-resistant functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using an open top cup or mug. The lid is provided with a flexible structure which may be reversibly positionable between a drink outlet closed position and a drink outlet open position. In an embodiment, an outer or distal end of the flexible structure may be moved to a spill resistant position, wherein the outer end of the flexible structure substantially prevents splash of liquid outward from the beverage container thought the drink outlet, even when the flexible structure is in the open position. The flexible structure may include multiple panels and hinges which allow downward and upward movement by manual manipulation, to enable a user to open and close the drink outlet.