Insulated Cap with Hexagonal Void Structure to Reduce Heat Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulated containers face challenges in maintaining beverages at desired temperatures due to inadequate sealing and insulation efficiency at the lid interface, leading to heat transfer and potential leakage during storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an insulated cap with an outer shell, an insulation block featuring elongate hexagonal voids, and a sealing member to form a secure seal with the container, enhancing thermal insulation and airtightness by using a thermoplastic material for the shell and insulation block, and a carrying strap for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a conventional lid design is used for an insulated container, then the container can be sealed, but heat transfer occurs at the lid interface causing beverage temperature to change
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly uses composite materials including an insulation block made of foam material with closed-cell structure, combined with thermoplastic components. This composite construction provides thermal insulation at the lid interface to reduce heat transfer and maintain beverage temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation block is disposed within the lid body, creating a nested structure where the insulating material is embedded inside the lid assembly. This nesting arrangement ensures thermal insulation without increasing the overall external dimensions of the container.
2Reliability
If the lid is secured tightly to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer lid body, an inner insulation block, and a separate sealing member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall design and manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is made of flexible material that can deform to conform to the container opening, ensuring a reliable seal. The flexibility of the sealing member allows it to adapt to slight variations in the container mouth geometry without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
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
This configuration effectively maintains beverage temperatures by reducing heat transfer and ensuring a secure seal, thereby keeping drinks hot or cold for extended periods while preventing leakage during handling and transport.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation block disposed within the outer shell, wherein the insulation block defines a plurality of elongate hexagonal voids
Data Source
AI summary
Container assemblies including an insulated cap for sealing the mouth of the container, the insulated cap including an outer shell, an insulation block defining a plurality of elongate voids disposed at least partially within the outer shell, a securing element configured to secure the cap to the container, and a sealing member configured to form a seal between the insulated cap and the container when the insulated cap is secured to the container by the securing element.