Flip-Cover Beverage Lid Locking Mechanism for Spill Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage lids do not effectively prevent spills and contamination while allowing easy access to the contents without completely removing the lid, and they often have complex designs that are difficult to clean.

Innovation Solution

A lid design featuring a flip cover with a latching mechanism, a locking slider, and an elastic band that biases the flip cover into an open position, allowing for easy access and preventing spills, while the locking slider prevents accidental release and the design minimizes debris traps with a reduced number of angles for easier cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flip cover with latching mechanism is added to prevent spills and contamination, then the sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is integrated into the release button assembly, where the release button directly actuates the latch that engages with the flip cover flange. This merging of components reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the sealing function through the coordinated action of the button-latch-flange system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking slider is positioned within the release mechanism assembly, with its arms receiving the locking projections. The locking slider itself contains arms that receive locking projections, creating a nested arrangement where smaller locking components are housed within larger structural elements, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism with multiple components is used to prevent accidental release, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of accidental releaseVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted as a separate locking slider component with arms that receive locking projections. This extracted locking mechanism can be independently manufactured and then assembled into the release mechanism, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining reliable prevention of accidental release through the arm-projection engagement system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a complex latching mechanism is used to secure the flip cover, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement of flip coverVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic band automatically biases the flip cover into the open position and provides the force needed to engage the latching mechanism when the cover is closed. The latching mechanism itself is designed to automatically engage when the flip cover is placed in the closed position, eliminating the need for manual intervention to secure the cover while maintaining reliable se curement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components and angles are included in the lid design, then the functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to increased debris traps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of designing complex angled surfaces that provide multifunctionality, the patent uses a simplified planar design where the flip cover, lid body, and locking components are arranged with minimal angles and flat surfaces. This inverted approach prioritizes ease of cleaning by eliminating debris-trapping angles, while maintaining functionality through the strategic arrangement of the flip cover, release button, and locking mechanism on flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 lid effectively prevents spills and contamination while allowing easy access to the beverage, with a design that is easy to clean and maintain, ensuring user convenience and hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic band that biases the flip cover into an open position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic band biasing: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11396408B2Lid for container

Publication Date: 2022.07.26 YETI COOLERS LLC

AI summary

A lid can include a lid body having an opening and locking projection and a flip cover may include a flip cover flange where the flip cover can be configured to cover the opening. A release mechanism can include a latching mechanism for receiving the flange of the flip cover to secure the flip cover in the closed position. A locking slider may include an arm having a distal end that can be configured to interfere with the locking projection of the lid body to prevent the release mechanism from rotating and releasing the flip cover. The locking slider can be displaced such that the distal end of the arm moves away from the locking projection of the lid body and the release mechanism is permitted to move the latching mechanism away from the flip cover flange and the flip cover can be moved into an open position.