Drinking cup providing any angle drinking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straw cups for infants and children fail to enable effective any-angle drinking without sucking air, as weighted straws often bend and collapse, and lack visual interest, while floating straws are not designed for this purpose.

Innovation Solution

A modified straw with first and second holes on its lateral surface and a movable floating sleeve element that adjusts positions to allow liquid access while preventing air intake, ensuring drinking is possible at any angle without collapsing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a weighted straw is used to enable any angle drinking, then the straw can maintain position at any angle, but the straw bends and collapses making it impossible to suck liquid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveany angle drinking capabilityVSAvoidstraw structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a floating element that provides buoyant force to counteract the weight of the straw, preventing it from bending or collapsing. The floating element acts as a counterweight that maintains the straw's structural integrity while enabling it to function at any angle, including upside down positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the density parameter of the straw system by incorporating a floating element with lower density than the surrounding liquid. This parameter change allows the straw to maintain its shape and structural integrity across different orientations by utilizing buoyancy to offset gravitational effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a floating straw is designed to stay afloat, then it can come out of bottle opening or prevent exit, but it cannot provide any angle drinking without air intake

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloating capabilityVSAvoidair intake causing choking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the straw into multiple segments with different functions: an upper portion with a first opening for liquid intake, a lower portion with a second opening for liquid discharge, and intermediate sections with holes. This segmentation allows the floating element to remain afloat while controlling liquid flow and preventing air intake through strategic placement of openings and holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The floating element acts as an intermediary between the straw and the liquid, controlling the interface between liquid and air. By positioning the floating element at specific locations and designing its structure with openings and holes, it mediates the flow of liquid while blocking air intake, thus preventing choking hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If weighted straws are used for any angle drinking, then angle drinking is enabled, but the device has technical appearance without visual interest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveany angle drinking capabilityVSAvoidvisual appeal for children

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The floating element is designed with vibrant colors and can incorporate visual features such as pictures, patterns, or transparent sections that change appearance. This makes the drinking device visually appealing and interesting for children, transforming the previously technical-looking weighted straw into an engaging toy-like object.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The floating element can be designed to move dynamically within the straw, changing its position and orientation based on the cup's angle and liquid level. This dynamic behavior adds visual interest and interactivity, making the drinking experience more engaging for children while maintaining the any-angle drinking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for efficient any-angle drinking without air intake, preventing choking and making the drinking experience more stable and visually appealing for children, while also being suitable for use by individuals with mobility issues or in various settings.

Implementation Method 1

the sleeve element is configured to float in the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3531880B1Drinking cup providing any angle drinking

Publication Date: 2020.08.05 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a straw (1), a straw assembly (2) and a cup assembly (3). The straw (1) comprises first holes (13) in an upper half and second holes (14) in a lower half both arranged at the lateral surface of the straw (1). A sleeve element (20) can be arranged coaxially to and around the straw (1) to form a straw assembly (2). The sleeve element (20) is configured to close the first holes (13) in a first position and the second holes (14) in a second position. The straw assembly (2) can be arranged in a cup assembly (3). As the sleeve element (20) is also configured to float in a liquid the sleeve element (20) is moved through the force of buoyancy either to the first or the second position depending on the inclination of the cup assembly (3) with respect to the force of gravity. This provides a solution for any angle drinking.