Integrated Folding Lid Cup Design for Leak-Proof Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional disposable cups and containers face issues such as loose or broken lids leading to leakage and waste, logistical burdens in the food service industry due to separate production and handling of cups, lids, and straws, and limitations in design and functionality, including non-water tightness and inability to be easily stacked or reused.
Innovation Solution
A cup with an integrated folding lid made from a continuous piece of material, such as paper or plastic, that can be assembled before use, featuring fold lines and sealants to prevent leakage, and designed for easy folding and interlocking to form a lid without the need for a separate lid component, with options for straw integration and thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate plastic lids are used with traditional disposable cups, then the cup can be assembled, but the lid may not fit properly creating a loose interface leading to leaking or spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cup and lid into a single integrated structure where the lid is formed as an integral part of the cup body. The cup includes a body portion and a lid portion that are continuously connected, eliminating the need for separate lid and cup components while ensuring a secure, leak-proof interface.
2Ease of operation
If traditional plastic disposable lids are removed to refill or add ice, then access is gained, but the lid may tear, bend, or break requiring a new lid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible hinge mechanism that allows the lid to dynamically open and close while maintaining structural integrity. The hinge enables the lid to flex during opening/closing operations without tearing or breaking, allowing multiple uses of the same cup-lid assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional disposable cups, lids, and straws are produced separately, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but logistical burdens increase and employee hours for inventory tracking increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cup and lid into a single manufacturable unit, reducing the number of separate components from three (cup, lid, straw) to two (integrated cup-lid, straw). This simplification reduces logistical complexity and inventory tracking requirements while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional folding paper type containers are used, then they can be assembled, but they are not water tight due to a folded bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a folded bottom construction where the bottom portion is formed by folding the material to create overlapping layers that are sealed together. This flexible shell approach maintains water tightness while preserving the ease of folding assembly, allowing the container to be collapsed for storage and easily assembled when needed.
5Ease of operation
If conventional folding paper type containers are used, then they can be assembled, but they cannot be easily stacked over each other without binding and tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the container with a flexible collapsed state that allows easy stacking. The folded bottom and flexible walls enable the container to be compressed into a compact form for stacking, while the reinforced seams and overlapping joints maintain structural integrity during stacking and separation operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a cup with an integrated lid that comprises top, center, and bottom portions. The top portion of the cup defines an opening and is attached to a plurality of integrated lid sections extending from the top portion and separated from the top portion by one or more fold lines. The plurality of integrated lid sections may be folded inward over the opening defined by the top portion to cover and at least partially seal the opening. The center portion defines a sidewall that extends between two ends that are affixed to at least each other. The bottom portion extends from the center portion and defines a base. The plurality of integrated lid sections may interlock to define a lid. The lid may be configured with a hole or spout for drinking or pouring the contents of the cup. The base, sidewall, and lid may define a frustoconical shape.