Integrated Dispensing Lid With Retractable Handle and Sealed Spout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing containers have complex arrangements of separate components that increase manufacturing complexity, user cleaning difficulty, and mechanical failure points, while also risking unintentional disengagement of drink spouts and lacking efficient sealing and handle stowage.
Innovation Solution
Integration units combining multiple mechanical elements into a single module, featuring a top-mounted drink spout, a gasket with a concave profile for enhanced sealing, and a selectively extendable handle, which simplifies assembly, reduces mechanical failure, and enhances sealing and handle management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for spout, vent, cap, and fastener, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spout, vent, cap, and fastener into a single integrated component. The spout includes an integrated vent passage and cap structure, eliminating the need for separate vent and cap components. The fastener is integrated directly into the spout assembly, reducing the total component count while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated spout component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it dispenses liquid through the spout opening, provides venting through integrated vent passages, seals the container through the cap portion, and secures itself through the fastener. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are assembled, then each component can be manufactured independently, but assembly complexity and potential for mechanical failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single integrated spout assembly, the patent eliminates the interfaces and fastening mechanisms that create mechanical failure points. The integrated design removes potential failure sites at component connections while maintaining manufacturability through single-piece construction or pre-assembled modules.
3Ease of operation
If a bottom-mounted drink spout is used, then the spout can be easily positioned, but unintentional disengagement and cleaning difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bottom-mounted spout configuration by positioning the spout at the top of the container. This top-mounted configuration allows the spout to be easily removed and cleaned by simply pulling it from the opening, eliminating the cleaning difficulty associated with bottom-mounted spouts while maintaining easy positioning through the integrated fastener mechanism.
4Reliability
If a complex fastening mechanism with multiple parts is used, then secure retention is achieved, but assembly and disassembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is integrated directly into the spout component as a single-piece design. This integration maintains secure retention through the fastener mechanism while eliminating the need to assemble or disassemble multiple separate fastening parts, making the overall assembly and disassembly process simpler.
Data Source
AI summary
A lid includes an integration unit formed of a continuous material in common amongst components, which include a spout and a fastener. Another lid includes a selectively extendable and retractable carrying mechanism including a handle having two parallel arms, a bridge, and two posts. A further lid includes an integration unit formed of a continuous material in common amongst components, which include a spout and a gasket with a concave profile. A still further lid includes a well recessed into and defining part of an outside surface of a lid body and a tube projecting outward from a bottom of the well. An integration unit is formed of a continuous material in common amongst components, which include a spout and a socket, the tube seating inside the integration unit socket. The features of the described lids may be combined.