Flexible straw with control means for use with a drinking vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-spill drinking cup valve systems are difficult to assemble and disassemble for cleaning, prone to damage, and restrict liquid flow due to complex construction and small valve designs, requiring high suction forces and potentially leading to spillage.
Innovation Solution
A non-spill drinking cup system with a unitary flexible straw and valve component featuring an elongate slit valve that opens easily for full flow and closes to prevent spills, integrated into a single-piece drinking tube for easy removal and cleaning, with a design that reduces the need for additional components and minimizes damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex valve construction is used to prevent spillage, then the non-spill function is improved, but the ease of assembly and cleaning is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve component and drinking tube into a single integrated unitary structure. The valve is formed as an integral part of the drinking tube, eliminating separate assembly steps and making the entire component removable for easy cleaning. This merging resolves the contradiction by maintaining the non-spill function while dramatically improving ease of assembly and cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed as a distinct functional segment within the unitary structure, with a defined valve chamber and opening that can be accessed when the tube is removed. This segmentation allows the valve function to be optimized independently while still being part of an easily removable whole component.
2Device complexity
If a small valve design is used within the straw through bore, then the device complexity is reduced, but the liquid flow rate is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening is designed with specific dimensional proportions (width to length ratio) that optimize flow characteristics. The valve chamber provides a three-dimensional space that allows adequate opening size without increasing overall device complexity, resolving the contradiction between simple construction and sufficient flow rate.
3Ease of manufacture
If a thin flexible membrane with slit-type valve is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the valve is prone to damage and tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is formed from the flexible material of the drinking tube itself, utilizing the inherent flexibility and durability of the tube material. This eliminates the need for separate thin membranes that are prone to damage, while maintaining cost-effective manufacturing through integration.
4Device complexity
If a small valve size is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but higher suction forces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The valve opening dimensions and chamber geometry are optimized to reduce the negative pressure required for opening. By adjusting these parameters, the valve provides adequate flow with lower suction forces while maintaining a simple integrated construction.
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 system allows for easy drinking with reduced suction force, secure liquid transport without spills, and is easier to clean and manufacture, addressing the limitations of complex and fragile valve designs in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a drinking valve, wherein the drinking valve includes at least one elongate slit disposed within the side wall
Implementation Method 2
The flexible material enables the user to drink fluid easily from the container through suction of a straw
Implementation Method 3
maintaining a liquid seal when not in use, thereby preventing accidental spills
Data Source
AI summary
A non-spill drinking cup system includes a container; a lid assembly that is removably attachable to the container, comprising an aperture; and a drinking tube, wherein the drinking tube extends through the aperture, the drinking tube including an open end, a closed end, and a side wall; and a drinking valve, wherein the drinking valve includes at least one elongate slit disposed within the side wall.