Drinking Member Vent with Flexible Valve to Prevent Vacuum and Spills
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beverage containers are prone to spills and leaks due to accidental tipping, especially in the case of children, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent vacuum formation and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A drinking member with a vent and valve system that allows ambient air to enter the container to counteract vacuum pressure while preventing leaks when tipped, featuring flexible members that open under vacuum and close under normal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealed lid assembly is used to prevent spills, then leak prevention is improved, but vacuum pressure builds up inside the container when drinking
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is segmented into multiple functional components: a vent passage, a flexible membrane, and a valve mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the passage provides airflow path, the membrane responds to pressure changes, and the valve controls air intake - while working together to resolve the contradiction between sealing and vacuum relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent system incorporates dynamic elements that automatically adjust to pressure conditions. The flexible membrane dynamically changes position based on internal pressure, and the valve opens or closes automatically in response to vacuum conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain sealing during normal conditions while automatically relieving vacuum when needed.
2Stress or pressure
If the vent remains open to relieve vacuum pressure, then vacuum formation is reduced, but spills or leaks occur when the container is tipped over
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as an intermediary element between the vent passage and the interior of the container. It mediates the conflict between needing to open the vent for vacuum relief and keeping it closed to prevent spills. The membrane responds to pressure differential by selectively opening or closing the passage, allowing air flow only when vacuum pressure exceeds a certain threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism changes the flow parameters of the vent passage based on pressure conditions. Under normal pressure, the valve maintains a closed state with minimal flow. When vacuum pressure develops during drinking, the pressure differential causes the flexible membrane to deform and the valve to open, changing the flow state from closed to open and allowing air intake to equalize pressure.
3Reliability
If a valve mechanism is added to control the vent, then spill prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system is designed to be self-regulating without requiring external control mechanisms. The flexible membrane automatically detects pressure changes and triggers valve opening/closing based on the pressure differential between the container interior and exterior. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex electronic sensors, motors, or manual controls, maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable spill prevention.
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 vent and valve system minimizes vacuum formation and reduces spills and leaks, ensuring effective beverage dispensing and containment.
Implementation Method 1
The valve includes a first flexible member and a second flexible member. The first flexible member and the second flexible member are configured to bend or deform to open the valve.
Implementation Method 2
The vent assists in reducing a vacuum from forming in the beverage container. As the user removes fluid from the container via drinking, ambient air may enter the container via the vent to prevent or reduce a vacuum forming inside of the container.
Data Source
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AI summary
A lid assembly (50) for a beverage container (20). The lid assembly (50) comprising a lid (100) and a drinking member (200). The drinking member (200) comprises a vent (220) to relieve vacuum pressure and a fluid passage (225) to dispense a beverage for drinking. The fluid passage (225) includes an outlet portion (210) and a lower portion (270). The vent (220) includes an upper opening (230) and a lower opening (250). A valve (221) is positioned between the upper opening (230) and the lower opening (250). The valve (221) includes a first flexible member (222) and a second flexible member (224). The first flexible member (222) and the second flexible member (224) are configured to bend or deform to open the valve (221). A beverage container system (10) comprising the lid assembly (50) is also disclosed.