Lid Assembly with Rotatable Lock to Prevent Accidental Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refillable beverage containers face issues with accidental fluid leakage due to unintentional activation of the locking mechanism and contamination of the drinking area from debris, especially when carried in bags with other items.
Innovation Solution
A lid assembly with a displaceable button member and a rotatable cover portion that locks the button member in place, preventing accidental displacement of the seal assembly, and a design that keeps the drinking area clean by covering the fluid aperture when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever or button locking mechanism is used, then the beverage can be selectively released for drinking, but the mechanism can be accidentally disengaged by contact with other items in a bag
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent parts: a button member that the user presses to unlock, and a separate cover portion that must be rotated to lock. This segmentation ensures that accidental contact with one component cannot both unlock and activate the mechanism, as the other component remains in its locked position.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is rotated into a locked position before the button can be pressed to unlock. This preliminary locking action prevents accidental disengagement by requiring the user to first rotate the cover to an unlocked position before the button becomes functional for opening.
2Ease of operation
If the fluid aperture is exposed for easy access, then the user can quickly drink the beverage, but the drinking area becomes contaminated by debris from bag contents
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is designed to be rotatable, dynamically transitioning between an open position that allows access to the fluid aperture and a closed position that protects it from contamination. This dynamic design enables the system to adapt between the two conflicting requirements of accessibility and protection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A
AI summary
A lid assembly (10) adapted to be removably secured to a container (12) includes a base portion (14) having a fluid aperture (24), and a ridge portion (32) extends from a top surface of the base portion (14). A button member (33) is coupled to the base portion (14), and depressing the button member (33) from a closed position to an open position displaces a seal member (43) of a seal assembly away (41) from the fluid aperture (24) so that fluids may pass from the interior of the container (12) through the fluid aperture (24). A locking assembly includes (45) a cover portion coupled to the base portion (14), and when the cover portion is in a locked position, an engagement portion (48) engages a recess on the button member (33) to prevent displacement out of the closed position. When the cover portion is rotated into an unlocked position, the engagement portion (48) disengages the recess, thus allowing the button member (33) to displace to the open position.