Ice Restraining Drinking Receptacle with Protrusion-Based Trap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking receptacles with ice often cause ice to contact the user's lips or face when drinking, and using a straw can be inconvenient for certain beverages, as ice can block the straw and make it difficult to finish the drink.
Innovation Solution
A drinking receptacle with an ice trap featuring multiple protrusions on its inner surface that restricts ice from moving towards the rim while allowing liquid to flow past, preventing ice from contacting the user's lips or face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is added to the drinking receptacle to keep the beverage cold, then the beverage temperature is reduced, but ice contacts the user's lips or face during drinking
Solution Approach 1:
The ice trap structure segments the receptacle interior into two zones: a lower zone where ice is allowed and a upper zone near the rim where ice is restrained. The protrusions create intermediate barriers that guide ice movement while preventing contact with the user's face.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice trap with protrusions acts as an intermediary element between the ice and the user's lips/face. It provides a mechanical barrier that intercepts ice cubes before they can reach the drinking zone, while still allowing liquid to pass through.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a straw is used to prevent ice from contacting the user, then ice contact is avoided, but ice blocks the straw and makes it difficult to finish the drink
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ice-blocking function from the drinking path by placing the ice trap at the rim area, separate from the liquid flow path through the protrusions. This allows liquid to pass freely through the gaps between protrusions while ice is blocked at the trap.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice trap extends the ice-restraint function into the radial dimension near the rim, rather than blocking the axial drinking path. The protrusions create a three-dimensional barrier structure that restricts ice movement in multiple directions while maintaining liquid flow.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ice trap uses closely spaced protrusions to block ice, then ice contact is prevented, but liquid flow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions have different dimensions and spacing characteristics at different locations. The height and spacing are optimized to block ice cubes of typical sizes while maintaining sufficient gaps for liquid flow. The local geometry of each protrusion is tailored to its specific function in the ice-trapping mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The ice trap parameters (protrusion height, spacing, diameter) are specifically designed to create a size-selective barrier. The dimensions are chosen based on the typical size distribution of ice cubes versus liquid molecules, allowing the structure to differentiate between blocking solid ice and permitting liquid passage.
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
Enables enjoyable drinking of cold beverages without ice contacting the user's lips or face, ensuring that ice does not obstruct the flow of liquid, thus maintaining the cooling effect while preventing ice from blocking the straw.
Implementation Method 1
ice always float on top of the most liquid, because ice has less density than water
Data Source
AI summary
An ice restraining drinking receptacle provides a housing that retains a fluid and ice. An ice trap in the housing restrains the ice from moving near the drinking rim of the upturned receptacle while drinking therefrom. The receptacle comprises a housing defined by an upper region having a rim, and a lower region. The housing further includes a sidewall, a base end disposed within the lower region, and a rim end disposed within the upper region. An ice trap restrains movement of ice past the upper region rim. In an embodiment, the ice trap includes a plurality of protrusions disposed in a spaced-apart relationship that allows fluid to flow between protrusions to the rim for drinking. Further, the protrusions are disposed in a circumferential relationship across the upper region and inner surface of the housing. The pointy apex of the protrusions helps restrict passage of ice to the rim.