Drinking Bottle Lid Assembly with Rotatable Flap and Locking Lugs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking bottles with screw-on caps often have short, uncomfortable drinking spouts and inconvenient lid mechanisms that are difficult to open and close.
Innovation Solution
A lockable lid assembly for drinking bottles featuring a rotatable flap with locking lugs and a gasket that can be easily opened and closed, providing a comfortable drinking surface and secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a short drinking spout is provided around a perimeter of the opening, then the lid structure is simplified, but the drinking comfort deteriorates due to short length and small diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking spout is designed as a flexible, extensible component that can dynamically change its configuration. When the lid is closed, the spout remains compact; when the lid is opened, the spout extends outward to provide a longer, more comfortable drinking surface. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between structural simplicity and drinking comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The drinking spout utilizes the radial dimension by extending outward from the lid perimeter when opened. This dimensional change allows the spout to achieve sufficient length for comfortable drinking without requiring a complex multi-component structure, as the extension occurs in the radial direction rather than requiring additional vertical or horizontal components.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the lid assembly, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the lid's position. When the lid is closed, the locking lugs automatically engage with the rim notches to secure the seal; when the lid is opened, the lugs automatically disengage. This self-acting mechanism provides reliable sealing without requiring additional actuators, sensors, or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lugs and notches serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the lid housing and the rim. These simple geometric features provide the locking function through their interaction, avoiding the need for complex fastening mechanisms while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Ease of operation
If the flap is made flexible to allow rotation and sealing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is constructed as a flexible component that can bend and rotate to allow easy opening and closing operations. The flexibility is achieved through appropriate material selection and thickness design, allowing the flap to deform elastically during operation while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to perform its sealing and locking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism provides pre-engineered support points where the locking lugs engage with the rim notches. This beforehand reinforcement at critical locations compensates for the overall flexibility of the flap, ensuring that the flap maintains sufficient local strength at the locking interface while remaining flexible for easy operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drinking bottle assembly (50) includes a lid assembly (90) with a lid housing (100) having a top wall (105), a flap (200) rotatably coupled to the top wall (105), and a gasket (300) secured to the flap (200). A drink opening (110) extends through the top wall (105). A rim (170) extends above the top wall (105). At least one notch (173) is located in an inner surface (171) of the rim (170). The flap (200) includes a flexible portion (230, 235) or extension (227) and at least one locking lug (220) projecting from the flexible portion (235). The locking lug (220) engages the at least one notch (173) in a closed position. The flap (200) is rotatable from the closed position to a fully open position. The gasket (300) is configured to seal the drink opening (110) in the closed position.