Hinged Beverage Can Insulator for Top-Portion Heat and Debris Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage can insulators fail to effectively insulate the top portion of cans, allowing heat transfer and exposure to debris, with existing solutions lacking in convenience and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A beverage insulation system comprising a base and lid connected by a hinge assembly, with a cylindrical insert and finger lever for easy one-handed operation, providing comprehensive insulation and protection by covering the can opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a foam sleeve insulator covers only the lower portion of the can, then the insulator allows easy access to the beverage opening, but the exposed top portion permits unrestricted heating and entry of dirt and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to beverage openingVSAvoidheat transfer and debris entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is divided into two functional segments: a base cup covering the lower portion for insulation, and a hinged lid covering the upper portion for protection. The lid can be opened independently to provide access without removing the entire insulator, thus maintaining both protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid is designed to be hinged rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically transition between closed (protective) and open (accessible) states. This dynamic structure enables the user to expose the beverage opening only when needed while keeping it protected otherwise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a koozie top or lid is added to cover the can top, then insulation and protection are improved, but convenience and ease of use are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation and protection from bugs and debrisVSAvoidconvenience and ease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hinged lid mechanism allows for easy one-handed operation to open and close the protective cover, significantly improving convenience compared to fixed or removable lids that require two hands or tools to attach/detach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The insulator is designed to be self-contained with the lid automatically covering the opening when closed, eliminating the need for separate caps or additional components. The hinge assembly enables the lid to return to its closed position automatically after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the lid is made to pivot between closed and open positions, then coverage and insulation are maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of can openingVSAvoidhinge assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge assembly utilizes a flexible strap that connects the lid to the base, eliminating the need for rigid mechanical hinges. This flexible connection provides the necessary pivoting motion while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that integrates seamlessly with the foam insulator material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 effectively insulates the beverage can by maintaining temperature and preventing debris entry, while offering convenient one-handed opening and closing, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

Beverage can insulators (known by many names, such as can coolers, candoms, huggers, huggies and koozies, to name a few), usually comprise a foam sleeve that is sized to surround and thermally insulate the can.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

Unfortunately, metal is a good conductor of heat and, once removed from cold storage, a chilled can of a beverage will warm to the surrounding temperature very quickly.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11503934B1Apparatus and method for insulating a beverage can

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 WEGNER CHRISTOPHER C

AI summary

For a beverage can having a lower portion, an upper portion and a greater diameter, a beverage insulation system for holding a beverage can includes a base with walls and a bottom that together form a base cup sized and configured to receive the lower portion of the beverage can; a lid with walls and a top that together form a lid cup sized and configured to receive the upper portion of the beverage can; a hinge assembly connecting the lid with the base to enable the lid to pivot between a closed position covering the upper portion of the beverage can received in the base cup and an open position uncovering the upper portion of the beverage can received in the base cup; and a generally cylindrical insert having an inner surface and being coaxially held within and by the lid cup to encircle the upper portion of the beverage can in the closed position.