Lid for container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers fail to effectively maintain the temperature of hot or cold beverages due to inadequate insulation, leading to heat transfer and reduced retention of liquid temperature.
Innovation Solution
An insulating device with a double-wall vacuum construction and a lid configured for selective closure, utilizing a three-shot injection molding process to create a sealed cavity with a polymer interface element, enhancing thermal insulation and maintaining liquid temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-wall container structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal insulation performance deteriorates leading to heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate walls (first inner wall and second outer wall) with a vacuum space between them. This segmentation creates thermal barriers that prevent heat transfer while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and thermal insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
A vacuum cavity is introduced as an intermediary layer between the inner and outer walls. This vacuum space acts as a thermal insulator, blocking heat transfer pathways without adding complex insulation materials, thus maintaining structural simplicity while improving thermal performance.
2Loss of energy
If a double-wall vacuum construction is used, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is integrated with the double-wall vacuum structure through a polymer interface element that seamlessly connects the lid body to both inner and outer walls. This merging approach unifies the insulation system and closure mechanism, improving thermal sealing without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A polymer interface element is used to connect the lid to the double-wall structure. This composite material approach provides both structural connection and thermal sealing functions in a single component, reducing the number of separate parts needed while maintaining insulation effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lid is not hermetically sealed, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the temperature retention duration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible gasket is incorporated into the lid assembly to create a hermetic seal between the lid and container opening. This thin film component provides effective sealing that maintains temperature retention while being simple to manufacture and install, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing ease and seal effectiveness.
4Reliability
If a three-shot injection molding process is used for the lid, then the sealing performance is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The three-shot injection molding process combines multiple materials and functions into a single integrated lid component. This merging of sealing surfaces, structural elements, and attachment features into one molded part achieves hermetic sealing while eliminating the need for separate assembly steps, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
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 insulating device effectively retains the temperature of beverages by minimizing heat transfer through the double-wall vacuum structure and sealed lid, ensuring the liquid remains hot or cold for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a container with a first inner wall having a first end with an opening extending into an internal reservoir for receiving liquid, along with a second outer wall and a bottom portion forming an outer shell of the container
Implementation Method 2
formed of a double-wall vacuumed formed construction to provide insulative properties to help maintain the temperature of the liquid within the container
Implementation Method 3
a lid configured to seal the opening of the container
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating container may include an opening, which can be sealed by a closure. The closure may have an upper portion with a handle that has a circular curvature equal to the cylindrical portion of the closure. The closure may also have a lower portion that is joined to the upper portion by an injection molded polymer element. The closure may also be in the form of “flip” type of closure such that the lid can be selectably opened or closed by the user by rotating a flip closure into either the opened or closed position. The closure may also be a two-part lid having a lower cap that may be configured to be removably-coupled to the container and an upper cap that may be configured to be removably-coupled to the lower cap.