Beverage Container Lid Actuator Seal for Leak-Free Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage container lids with sealing mechanisms are limited in their ability to effectively prevent liquid from escaping while allowing easy access for drinking and venting, often requiring manual force to lift a hinged member which can lead to leakage and inefficient sealing.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with an actuator that extends through the lid housing, featuring a ball joint and separate drink and vent apertures, where the actuator can be moved between open and closed positions using a pivot mechanism and locking system, ensuring a seal against the ball joint and lid housing to prevent liquid escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hinged member is used to open and close the drink aperture, then access for drinking is provided, but liquid leakage occurs and sealing efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed to pivot between open and closed positions, dynamically adjusting the seal engagement with the drink aperture. The seal maintains continuous contact with the aperture during actuator movement, ensuring reliable sealing in both open and closed states while allowing easy access for drinking.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate seal component is introduced as an intermediary between the actuator and the drink aperture. This seal engages with the actuator and the aperture to prevent liquid leakage, resolving the contradiction between easy access and reliable sealing by providing a dedicated sealing interface.
2Ease of operation
If manual force is applied to lift the hinged member, then the drink aperture opens, but the sealing mechanism becomes complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the actuator assembly itself, with the seal integrated into the actuator structure. This combination simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating separate sealing components while maintaining effective sealing through the actuator's pivotal movement and seal engagement.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator extends through the lid housing, then easy access for drinking is enabled, but liquid may escape through the actuator aperture
Solution Approach 1:
A seal is positioned at the actuator aperture to act as an intermediary barrier. This seal engages with both the actuator and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping through the aperture, allowing the actuator to extend through the lid while maintaining liquid containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal functions as a flexible barrier that conforms to the actuator and lid housing interfaces. This flexible sealing element effectively blocks liquid escape paths while accommodating the actuator's movement between open and closed positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An openable and closeable lid assembly is provided for a beverage container. The lid assembly comprises a lid housing, an actuator and a seal. The lid housing has an upper surface with a drink aperture and an actuator aperture extending therethrough. The actuator extends through the actuator aperture and is positionable in an open position, where liquid can pass through the drink aperture, and a closed position, where the drink aperture is closed. A seal is provided adjacent the actuator aperture. The seal seals against the actuator and the lid housing to prevent liquid from escaping out the actuator aperture.