Insulated beverage container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum insulated beverage containers are opaque, preventing the viewing of the beverage and limiting customization options, as the vacuum chamber is factory sealed, making it inaccessible for feature integration or material changes.
Innovation Solution
Designing transparent double-walled beverage containers with a valve to access and redevelop the vacuum, allowing for customization of materials and features, such as the use of glass or plastic for the inner and outer walls, which also enables microwaving without removing the beverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal walls are used in vacuum insulated containers, then robustness and thermal insulation are improved, but transparency and customization are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate components: an inner container, an outer container, and a removable insulating insert. This segmentation allows the inner container to be transparent (glass or plastic) while the insulating insert provides thermal insulation, and the entire assembly can be disassembled for customization or microwaving.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction combining transparent materials (glass or plastic) for the inner container with insulating materials (vacuum chamber, foam, or air gap) for thermal insulation. This composite approach achieves both transparency and thermal performance without relying on opaque metal walls.
2Loss of energy
If the vacuum chamber is factory sealed, then thermal insulation is maintained, but accessibility for customization and feature integration is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating insert is designed to be removable and reconfigurable, transforming the static vacuum chamber into a dynamic system. Users can remove the insert to access the vacuum chamber for customization, add features like heating elements or screens, and reassemble the system while maintaining insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the insulating insert from the vacuum chamber, the invention allows independent access to each component. The insert can be removed for customization while the vacuum chamber maintains its seal and insulation, enabling adaptability without compromising thermal performance.
3Strength
If metal is used for the inner tubular wall, then structural strength is improved, but heat conduction to atmosphere is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces metal (a thermal conductor) with transparent materials like glass or plastic for the inner container walls. These materials provide sufficient structural strength while being transparent and having lower thermal conductivity, reducing heat loss to the atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of transparent container material with insulating materials (vacuum, foam, or air gap) creates a composite structure that achieves both structural integrity and thermal insulation without requiring metal components.
4Loss of energy
If the container is made opaque for insulation, then thermal retention is improved, but viewing of the beverage is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into transparent inner and outer containers with an insulating layer between them. This segmentation allows the beverage to be viewed through the transparent walls while the insulating layer (vacuum, foam, or air gap) provides thermal retention without blocking the view.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating vacuum chamber acts as a thin film or gap between the transparent inner and outer containers, providing thermal insulation while allowing light transmission through the transparent materials for beverage viewing.
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 the viewing of the beverage, allows for customization, and provides improved thermal insulation and safety by using materials more resistant to heat conduction than metal, while maintaining the vacuum for efficient temperature retention.
Implementation Method 1
A double-walled container having a vacuum chamber between the two walls can keep a beverage cold or hot for hours by minimizing loss of heat through the double walls due to the intermediary vacuum chamber through which thermal energy is significantly inhibited in crossing.
Implementation Method 2
A valve may be present to seal the insulation chamber and a pump may be used to generate a vacuum within the insulation chamber to enhance the thermal insulation performance of the insulation chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of double walled beverage containers are disclosed. Such a beverage container can have transparent walls so that a beverage within the container can be viewed from outside of the container yet while a chamber between the double walls insulates the beverage. A valve can help generate and maintain a vacuum within the chamber to further insulate the beverage. The walls and/or bridge of the beverage container can be swapped with those of different designs so that a user can customize the beverage container. A module can be located within the chamber to provide a dynamic display and/or heat or cool the beverage. The module can be powered from outside of the beverage container.