Insulative containers and lids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulative mugs are large and cumbersome, making it difficult to carry other items, and they are not designed to support or insulate single-use disposable cups, which are often used for beverages served with ice or at specific temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A reusable insulative mug or tumbler with a handle that includes storage points for small items like lip balm and a ring connector, and a flexible internal petal lid that can support and insulate single-use plastic or paper cups, maintaining temperature and preventing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a reusable insulative mug is designed to be large and well-insulated, then temperature maintenance is improved, but portability and ease of carrying other items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing a disposable cup inside the reusable insulative mug. The disposable cup nests within the larger insulative container, allowing the mug to maintain temperature for beverages while the compact disposable cup design preserves portability. This nested arrangement resolves the contradiction by combining the thermal insulation benefits of a large mug with the portable advantages of a smaller cup.
2Temperature
If a reusable insulative mug is designed to be large, then temperature maintenance is improved, but device complexity and handling difficulty worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beverage container system into two separate components: a reusable insulative mug and a disposable cup. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the mug provides temperature maintenance while the disposable cup simplifies handling and disposal. The separate components can be easily assembled and separated, reducing the complexity of handling a single large insulated mug.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a disposable cup is used for beverages with ice, then versatility is improved, but insulation effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the disposable cup and reusable insulative mug into a combined system. The disposable cup maintains its versatility for holding various beverages including those with ice, while the reusable mug wrapped around it provides the insulation effectiveness needed for temperature maintenance. This combination allows the system to simultaneously achieve both beverage compatibility and thermal insulation that neither component could achieve alone.
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 solution allows for efficient hydration while carrying other items, provides improved insulation for single-use cups, and reduces the risk of spills and temperature changes, enhancing user convenience and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
an insulative vessel (101) having an inner wall (105) and an outer wall (107) spaced apart from one another
Implementation Method 2
The space (109) between the walls (105) and (107) will typically be open and the two walls (105) and (107) will typically be vacuum sealed
Implementation Method 3
can also provide for a lid which can inhibit the mug from spilling liquid contents even if the tumbler or mug is inverted
Data Source
AI summary
A mug or tumbler which is designed to provide for support for a variety of objects. Specifically, the tumbler or mug is designed to act as an external insulator for the contents of a single use plastic or paper cup, to provide for a lid which can inhibit the mug from spilling liquid contents even if the tumbler or mug is inverted or hit, and, in a mug configuration, the mug can provide for storage points in its handle which allow for the carrying of a small tube-shaped object such as lip balm and a place to attached a ring connector.