Lid Orifice Plug Structure for Thermal Sealing and Spill Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage container lids with orifices compromise the thermal barrier and spill security during transportation, as they are not effectively sealed, especially when accidentally disturbed.

Innovation Solution

A plug device with a body portion and external grip member that can be inserted and releasably retained in the lid orifice to provide a temporary seal, matching the shape of the orifice for interference fit and including optional features like caps, tapers, and elongate projections for additional functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an orifice is provided in the lid for beverage consumption, then the ease of operation is improved, but the thermal insulation and spill security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of beverage consumptionVSAvoidthermal insulation effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The lid system is segmented into two functional components: the lid itself with the orifice for consumption access, and the removable plug for thermal sealing. This segmentation allows the lid to provide ease of operation when needed while the plug can be inserted to restore thermal insulation when the beverage needs to be retained during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is designed to be dynamically insertable and removable from the orifice, allowing the thermal insulation property to change from open (for consumption) to closed (for transport). This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt between the two opposing requirements of ease of operation and thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If an orifice is provided in the lid for beverage consumption, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of spill prevention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of beverage consumptionVSAvoidspill prevention during transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spill prevention function is separated from the consumption function by introducing a removable plug component. The plug can be inserted into the orifice to provide reliable spill prevention during transport, while the orifice remains available for ease of consumption when the plug is removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug acts as an intermediary element between the orifice and the beverage, providing a mechanical barrier that prevents spills during transport. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve both ease of operation (when plug is removed) and reliable spill prevention (when plug is inserted).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If a plug device is added to seal the orifice, then the thermal insulation and spill prevention are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulation effectivenessVSAvoidlid system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plug is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use component that can be discarded after one use. This disposable nature keeps the device complexity low, as the plug does not require complex mechanisms for retrieval or reuse, yet still provides effective thermal insulation and spill prevention when inserted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug utilizes a simple flexible or resilient structure that can be easily molded and inserted into the orifice. This simple geometric form minimizes device complexity while effectively sealing the orifice to provide thermal insulation and spill prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If a plug device is added to seal the orifice, then the reliability of spill prevention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespill prevention during transportVSAvoidease of beverage consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the consumption function (orifice in lid) from the spill prevention function (removable plug). Users can easily access the beverage by simply removing the plug, which is designed for easy grasping and removal, thus maintaining ease of operation while providing reliable spill prevention during transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plug is designed with an external grip member that allows users to easily grasp and remove it without tools or complex mechanisms. This self-service design enables users to quickly transition from spill prevention mode to consumption mode by simply pulling the plug out of the orifice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8052003B2Plug with recessed body portions for beverage container lid

Publication Date: 2011.11.08 STIXTOGO

AI summary

A device and system for temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid, comprising a plug having an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface, said body portion adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a temporary seal thereof, and an external member located on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.