Insulated Cup Brim Structure for Strength and Heat Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated containers, such as cups, face challenges in maintaining temperature insulation and structural integrity due to limitations in material selection and manufacturing processes, particularly when using polymeric materials.
Innovation Solution
The development of an insulated cup made from a combination of insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material for the base and non-cellular polymeric material for the brim, where the brim is compression-molded and coupled to the rim of the side wall, enhancing insulation and structural strength without rolling the rim, and using polypropylene-based materials for recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single polymeric material is used for both the base and brim, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different polymeric materials for different parts of the cup. The base is made from a first polymeric material optimized for thermal insulation, while the brim is made from a second polymeric material optimized for structural strength and rim formation. This allows each component to have the specific material properties needed for its function, improving overall thermal insulation performance without requiring complex multi-material construction throughout the entire cup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining two different polymeric materials in a single cup structure. The base uses a polymeric material with superior insulative properties, while the brim uses a different polymeric material that provides structural integrity. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by achieving enhanced thermal insulation performance through material differentiation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through separate molding processes.
2Strength
If the rim is rolled during manufacturing, then structural integrity is improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the brim formation process from the base formation process. Instead of rolling the rim of the entire cup (which would compromise insulation), the brim is separately molded as a distinct component and then attached to the base. This segmentation allows the base to maintain its insulative integrity while the separately formed brim provides the necessary structural strength at the opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a separately molded brim component that acts as a mediator between the insulative base and the opening. This brim component provides structural reinforcement at the rim area without requiring rolling or deformation of the base material, thus maintaining thermal insulation performance while achieving the needed structural integrity at the opening.
3Temperature
If different polymeric materials are used for base and brim, then thermal insulation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cup into two separately molded components: the base and the brim. Each component can be molded independently using optimized processes for its specific material requirements. The base is molded from an insulative polymeric material, and the brim is molded from a structurally superior polymeric material. These pre-formed components are then attached together, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to attempting to form a single complex multi-material component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-forming the base and brim as separate components before final assembly. The base is pre-formed with its insulative material properties, and the brim is pre-formed with its structural material properties. This preliminary separate formation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and material characteristics, reducing manufacturing complexity during the final assembly stage while achieving superior temperature retention.
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 solution provides improved thermal insulation and structural integrity by utilizing different polymeric materials for the base and brim, ensuring effective temperature retention and durability while maximizing recyclability.
Implementation Method 1
The base is made of an insulative cellular non-aromatic polymeric material
Implementation Method 2
a brim is coupled to a rim of the side wall of the base after the base has been formed
Data Source
AI summary
A container is formed to include an interior region and a mouth opening into the interior region. The container includes a floor and a side wall coupled to the floor to define the interior region between the floor and the side wall.