Liquid-dispensing container with multiple-position selector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid-dispensing containers require inversion or squeezing, which can be inconvenient in situations where attention is diverted or space is limited, and straw-equipped containers often lead to spills, leaks, and difficulty in consuming the last contents efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A liquid-dispensing container with a valve assembly that allows fluid to be dispensed through a straw while upright and through a separate path when not upright, featuring a selector that moves between closed, first open, and second open positions to control fluid flow, enabling both straw and non-straw usage without removing the straw.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses inversion or squeezing for dispensing, then liquid can be dispensed, but it requires the consumer to tilt head back and divert attention from the activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liquid dispensingVSAvoidattention diverted from activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container separates the dispensing function from the drinking function by providing two distinct dispensing paths: one through the straw for upright drinking and another through the opening for traditional dispensing, allowing users to choose the method that doesn't require attention diversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly dynamically switches between different dispensing modes based on container orientation and user selection, enabling the container to adapt its dispensing behavior to maintain ease of use while minimizing attention requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses inversion or squeezing for dispensing, then liquid can be dispensed, but it requires elevated position which is undesired in limited space or concealment situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of liquid dispensingVSAvoidcontainer position requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container provides multiple dispensing modes (straw dispensing and opening dispensing) within a single system, making it universally applicable to various situations including limited space and concealment scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses a straw, then liquid can be consumed upright, but it requires removal of cap and insertion of straw which is time-consuming and requires dexterity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright liquid consumptionVSAvoidtime for cap removal and straw insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The straw is pre-positioned and pre-connected to the container system, eliminating the need for users to perform cap removal and straw insertion actions at the time of use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The container system automatically manages the straw connection and positioning, serving itself by maintaining the straw in a ready-to-use state without requiring user intervention for setup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses a straw, then liquid can be consumed upright, but it allows contents to spill or leak through the opening and/or straw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright liquid consumptionVSAvoidspill and leak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly proactively prevents spills and leaks by controlling fluid flow through selective opening and closing of passages, countering potential leakage before it occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly acts as an intermediary between the liquid contents and the dispensing paths, mediating flow control to prevent uncontrolled spilling and leaking while enabling controlled dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses a straw, then liquid can be consumed upright, but it prevents or impairs removal of contents without using the straw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright liquid consumptionVSAvoidcontent removal flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container segments the dispensing function into two independent paths: one through the straw for upright consumption and another through the opening for traditional dispensing, allowing both methods to function simultaneously without interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container provides multiple dispensing modes (straw dispensing and opening dispensing) within a single system, making it universally applicable to both straw-based and traditional dispensing needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

6Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses a straw, then liquid can be consumed upright, but it takes significant time to remove the straw to access remaining contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright liquid consumptionVSAvoidtime to access last contents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container segments the dispensing function into two independent paths: one through the straw for upright consumption and another through the opening for traditional dispensing, allowing users to switch between methods without removing the straw

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly acts as an intermediary that enables seamless switching between straw dispensing and opening dispensing, facilitating quick access to remaining contents without the time-consuming straw removal process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

7Ease of operation

If a conventional container uses a straw, then liquid can be consumed upright, but fast high-volume consumption is difficult to achieve through the straw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveupright liquid consumptionVSAvoidfast high-volume consumption rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container segments the dispensing function into two independent paths: one through the straw for controlled upright consumption and another through the opening for high-volume dispensing, allowing users to select the appropriate path based on consumption needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve assembly dynamically switches between different dispensing modes based on user needs, enabling transition from slow straw dispensing to fast opening dispensing to achieve high-volume consumption when required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10737845B2Liquid-dispensing container with multiple-position selector

Publication Date: 2020.08.11 RUNWAY BLUE LLC

AI summary

A liquid-dispensing container may include a vessel, lid body, valve assembly, selector and/or straw. The selector may be movable between a first position that allows fluid disposed within the container to be discharged through a straw, and a second position that allows fluid within the container to be discharged by inverting and/or squeezing the container. The selector may be movable into a closed position that restricts fluid from being discharged from the container. The selector may be movable into a detachment position that allows for detachment of the selector from a remainder of the container, disassembly of the valve assembly, or both.