Spill-Resistant Drinking Cup Valve With Actuable Gasket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking cups, particularly those designed for young children and the elderly, often fail to prevent spilling due to lack of control or mobility issues, and adult users may find spout-equipped cups embarrassing, while prior designs with peripheral openings or valves have inadequate functionality.
Innovation Solution
A drinking cup with a valve element featuring a sealing, actuable gasket that displaces from its abutment via underpressure or external suction, combined with a splash guard containing through openings to reduce liquid mass forces and a centric fastening opening, allowing easy cleaning and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spout-equipped cup is provided to prevent spilling, then spilling prevention is improved, but user comfort and dignity deteriorate due to indication of reduced mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spout component from the cup design, eliminating the visible indicator of reduced mobility while retaining the essential spill-prevention functionality through the valve element integrated into the cup wall
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element acts as an intermediary mechanism hidden within the cup wall, mediating between the liquid and the external environment to prevent spilling without requiring a visible spout that would indicate user vulnerability
2Reliability
If a valve element with gasket is provided to prevent spilling, then spilling prevention is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the spill-prevention mechanism and the structural element of the cup wall, while the gasket integrates sealing functionality directly onto the valve element rather than being a separate assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it controls liquid flow, prevents spilling, and provides a mounting structure for the gasket, reducing the need for additional specialized components
3Reliability
If a splash guard with through openings is added to reduce liquid mass forces, then spilling prevention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is segmented with through openings that divide the solid structure into multiple sections, allowing liquid to pass through and reducing the mass forces exerted on the gasket while maintaining a relatively simple overall manufacturing process
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
The solution effectively prevents spilling when the cup is tipped or shaken, is easy to clean and produce, and maintains user comfort by minimizing the appearance of reduced mobility, addressing the deficiencies of prior art designs.
Implementation Method 1
the gasket is arranged to be displaced from the abutment by underpressure on the out-side of the gasket
Implementation Method 2
The suction is created by a user placing his or her lips against the gasket and sucking liquid from the cup
Implementation Method 3
The gasket is arranged to be displaced from the abutment through deformation being applied to the gasket from the outside of the gasket
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A device by a drinking cup (1) comprising a container (2) and a valve element (4), the valve element (4) being provided with, on at least a portion of its free edge portion (12), an abutment (14) for a sealing, actuable gasket (8), and wherein a user's lip is resting against the gasket (8) when the drinking cup (1) is in its operating position.