Container for and method of consuming a liquid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-holdable liquid containers face issues with controlled discharge of liquids when containing solid materials like ice cubes, leading to unpredictable spillage and uncontrollable discharge due to the solid materials blocking the flow or being carried with the liquid.
Innovation Solution
A container with a blocking structure, such as a screen or separable component, that allows liquid to flow while blocking movement of solid materials suspended in the liquid, ensuring controlled discharge by positioning the container relative to the mouth and using a separable lid or body configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a discrete aperture lid is used to control liquid discharge, then liquid flow control is improved, but solid materials like ice cubes can block the aperture causing unpredictable spillage and requiring repositioning or breakup of ice
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple smaller openings arranged in a pattern, allowing liquid to flow through multiple paths simultaneously. This segmentation prevents solid materials like ice cubes from completely blocking the discharge path, as they can only obstruct some of the smaller openings rather than the entire aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure extends into the container volume from the aperture plane, creating a three-dimensional filtration barrier. This vertical dimension allows the structure to intercept solid materials before they reach the aperture, preventing blockages while maintaining liquid flow control.
2Productivity
If the container is shaken to dislodge blocked ice from the aperture, then flow restoration is achieved, but unwanted discharge of ice pieces occurs along with the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the solid materials and the aperture. It captures and retains ice pieces on its surface while allowing liquid to pass through, preventing ice from being discharged with the liquid during shaking or normal use.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure employs a porous or perforated design with multiple small openings that are large enough to allow liquid flow but small enough to retain solid ice pieces. This selective permeability enables flow restoration without ice discharge.
3Ease of operation
If ice pieces are carried with the discharging liquid, then the liquid may discharge uncontrollably, but recovery of ice pieces becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structure serves as a permanent intermediary barrier that continuously prevents ice pieces from entering the discharge stream. By maintaining this separation, it eliminates the need for periodic ice recovery operations and ensures consistent discharge control.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure performs preliminary separation of solids from liquids before discharge occurs. By filtering out ice pieces upstream of the aperture, it prevents the problem of ice carriage from arising in the first place, eliminating subsequent recovery needs.
4Reliability
If a blocking structure is added to prevent solid material discharge, then spillage control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking structure is merged with the existing lid assembly, combining the spout, aperture, and blocking elements into a single integrated component. This integration adds spillage control functionality without requiring separate additional parts or complex assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking structure simultaneously performs multiple functions: it controls liquid flow through its aperture design, filters solid materials through its blocking elements, and maintains structural integration with the lid. This multi-functionality adds spillage control without proportionally increasing 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
Enables smooth, controlled discharge of liquids without solid materials interfering, reducing spillage and ensuring efficient consumption by blocking solid materials from entering the opening.
Implementation Method 1
liquid may be required to flow against and around ice cubes or other solid material... allowing discharging of the liquid under gravitational force
Data Source
AI summary
A method for a person to discharge a consumable liquid including the steps of: obtaining a container having a body bounding a volume and an opening in communication with the volume; placing a quantity of the consumable liquid in the volume; and grasping the container and positioning the container so that the consumable liquid within the volume flows through at least a portion of the opening and into the person's mouth. The container has a blocking structure that is configured to allow the consumable liquid to flow to and through the portion of the opening while blocking movement of material, of a predetermined size suspended in the quantity of consumable liquid, into the at least portion of the opening.