Hygienic Membrane for Drink Can Lid Rim Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hygienic protective membranes for drink cans do not fully protect the lid and rim from contamination when drinking directly or pouring, and they often do not fit the shape of the can rim, leading to potential contamination and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A hygienic protective membrane with a first and second film, where the second film is separable to access the can orifice, featuring a central circular portion and a lateral strip that covers the lid edge, with a zipper-like tab for easy separation, ensuring a sterile surface and fitting the can rim for easy drinking and pouring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper film portion is made separable from the lower film portion, then access to the can orifice is enabled, but the risk of contamination increases during separation
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is divided into two distinct film portions (first and second films) that are separable from each other. The first film remains attached to the can lid while the second film can be separated to provide access to the orifice, enabling controlled access while maintaining hygiene of the first film.
Solution Approach 2:
The first film acts as an intermediary barrier that remains in place on the can lid, separating the drink contents from the external environment. This intermediary layer allows the second film to be removed for access while the first film continues to prevent contamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If the membrane covers only the lid surface, then manufacturing is simplified, but the rim remains unprotected from contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is extended from the two-dimensional lid surface onto the three-dimensional rim structure of the can. The first film is configured to cover both the upper surface of the lid and wrap around the rim, providing comprehensive protection in multiple spatial dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the membrane does not fit the can rim shape, then manufacturing is easier, but drink flow is redirected causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with varying properties in different regions: the first film has an extended portion that specifically conforms to the rim geometry, while the central portion covers the lid opening. This local adaptation ensures proper fit at the rim interface where drink flow occurs.
4Ease of operation
If the consumer must hold the tilting upper portion, then direct drinking is enabled, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with flexible, dynamic properties that allow it to adapt to the consumer's lips and drinking motion. The separable film portions can move and conform during the drinking action, reducing the need for manual support while maintaining the hygienic barrier.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hygienic protective membrane (2) for a drink can (12) provided with a lid (14) with a circular edge (16) and a ring suitable to form an orifice in a detachable zone of said lid, the membrane (2) comprising a first and a second film (6) superimposed and adhered to each other, said membrane (2) being configured to be disposed with the first film adhered to the lid (14), the second film (6) being separable from the first in order to give access to the orifice of the lid. The membrane has a central portion (8) generally circular suitable to cover the lid (14) and a lateral portion (10) forming a strip from the circular portion and adapted to cover the edge of said lid.