Insulated Container Lid Assembly with Asymmetrical Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers lack a secure and efficient mechanism for attaching a lid assembly to maintain temperature insulation and prevent spilling during use.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with asymmetrical grooves and projections on both the lid and container, along with a magnetic slider, ensures secure attachment and prevents spilling by locking into place and maintaining insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid assembly is attached to the container, then spilling is prevented and insulation is maintained, but the attachment mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid assembly incorporates asymmetrical grooves and projections that create a unique locking configuration. The asymmetrical design ensures the lid can only be attached in one orientation, providing secure attachment while simplifying the user interface through intuitive alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is divided into discrete components: grooves on the lid assembly, corresponding projections on the container, and a skirt with engagement features. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to provide secure attachment.
2Temperature
If a vacuum cavity is formed between outer and inner shells, then thermal insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container utilizes a double-wall construction with flexible sealing between the outer and inner shells. This flexible sealing approach allows for vacuum cavity formation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard forming processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shell is nested within the outer shell to create the vacuum cavity structure. This nested configuration provides efficient thermal insulation by eliminating conductive heat transfer paths while using a compact, space-efficient design.
3Strength
If asymmetrical grooves and projections are used for lid attachment, then locking security is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical grooves and projections are designed with tolerance-compensating features that maintain strong locking capability while accommodating normal manufacturing variations. The design ensures proper engagement through geometric constraints rather than requiring precise dimensional control.
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 lid assembly securely attaches to the container, maintaining insulation and preventing spilling, enhancing user experience and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The outer shell can be connected to the inner shell to form an insulated double wall structure with a sealed vacuum cavity between the outer shell and the inner shell
Implementation Method 2
The slider can be configured to move from an opened position to a closed position to cover the opening
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating container assembly can be configured to retain beverages and/or foods. The insulated container can include one of a plurality of container projections or grooves. A lid assembly can include one of a plurality of skirt grooves or projections, corresponding to the plurality of container projections or grooves of the insulated container. The lid assembly may be configured to lock in place on the container by engaging the plurality of skirt grooves or projections with the container grooves or projections when in the locked position.