Drinking Container Collar and Seal Assembly for Spill-Free Rim Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spill-proof containers often require complex parts and restrict the area from which a user can drink, leading to frequent spillage when knocked over, especially during the transition from bottles to open cups.
Innovation Solution
A drinking container assembly with a collar and seal assembly that allows drinking from any location around the rim, featuring a frustoconical shape, handles for stability, and a resilient seal that maintains fluid integrity through a fastener assembly and air venting mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spill-proof container covers are used, then leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to complex parts and valve structures
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into multiple functional zones: an outer wall with fastener assembly, an inner wall with support surface, and radial protrusions creating channels. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving spill-proof performance through simple geometric divisions rather than complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential spill-proof function from complex valve structures and implements it through the interaction between the seal and the collar's geometric features (support surface and radial protrusions). This removes unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining the core leakage prevention capability
2Reliability
If traditional spill-proof container covers are used, then leakage is prevented, but the area from which a user can drink is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The collar's rim serves multiple functions: it provides the drinking interface, creates the seal engagement surface, and defines the structural boundary of the container opening. This multi-functionality allows users to drink from any location around the rim while maintaining spill-proof performance, eliminating the need for restricted spout openings
3Ease of operation
If conventional open cups are used, then ease of operation is improved, but spillage occurs when knocked over
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is positioned to engage with specific local features of the collar (the support surface and radial protrusions) while leaving the rest of the rim completely open. This localized sealing approach maintains spill-proof performance at the critical interface while preserving complete drinking freedom around the entire rim perimeter
Data Source
AI summary
A non-spill drinking container assembly having a container with an open upper portion and closed lower portion. A collar may be removably attached to the upper portion of the container and may have an upper surface with a contour. A seal may be removably attached to the collar and cover the contour of the upper surface of the collar.