Fluid insulation assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage containers fail to maintain the temperature of liquids once they are consumed, as the liquid comes into contact with ambient air, leading to rapid temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A fluid insulation assembly that includes a barrier assembly to isolate a first fluid chamber within a container, preventing contact with ambient air during consumption, and an actuation assembly to dispense fluid from the chamber while maintaining its steady state temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the liquid is allowed to contact ambient air for consumption, then the liquid can be dispensed and consumed, but the temperature of the liquid rapidly decreases (hot) or increases (cold) due to heat transfer with ambient air

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid dispensingVSAvoidliquid temperature stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber that maintains thermal isolation for temperature stability, and a second chamber that interfaces with ambient air for dispensing. This segmentation allows the liquid to be dispensed while maintaining temperature stability in the source chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A barrier assembly acts as an intermediary between the thermally isolated first chamber and the ambient environment. The barrier assembly includes a barrier portion that prevents direct contact between the liquid and ambient air, while still allowing controlled dispensing through a dispensing opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a barrier assembly is added to isolate the liquid from ambient air, then temperature stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid temperature stabilityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a thermal barrier to maintain temperature stability, provides a sealing mechanism between chambers, and includes integrated actuators for controlled dispensing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier assembly combines the barrier portion, actuators, and dispensing opening into a single integrated structure. The actuators are positioned on the barrier assembly itself, merging the sealing function with the dispensing control function in one component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the barrier assembly is made movable for dispensing, then liquid can be dispensed while maintaining temperature isolation, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid temperature stabilityVSAvoidbarrier manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Manual manipulation of the barrier assembly is replaced with an automated actuator system. The actuator assembly includes a plunger that mechanically pushes the barrier assembly to move between sealed and dispensing positions, eliminating the need for manual barrier manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier assembly is designed to move automatically in response to actuator activation. The system self-manages the transition between sealed and dispensing states through the actuator mechanism, reducing the operational complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Effectively maintains the temperature of the liquid by isolating it from ambient air during dispensing, ensuring that the fluid remains hot or cold until consumed.

Implementation Method 1

a barrier assembly configured to fluidly isolate a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container, wherein the first fluid chamber is configured to contain a fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11649102B2Fluid insulation assembly

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 THERMAL LOCK LLC

AI summary

A fluid insulation assembly for use with a container that is configured to contain a fluid includes a barrier assembly configured to fluidly isolate a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container, wherein the first fluid chamber is configured to contain a fluid, and an actuation assembly configured to dispense fluid contained within the first fluid chamber.A method for insulating a fluid within a container and dispensing the fluid from the container includes fluidly isolating a first fluid chamber within an interior of a container and moving a barrier assembly disposed within the interior of the container in a first direction for dispensing fluid contained within the first fluid chamber.