Liquid Dispensing Lid with Movable Valve for Splash Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing lids for portable drinking containers fail to prevent splashing caused by air pressure differentials during consumption and are often complex, making them difficult to operate and clean.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing lid with a moveable elongated fluid dispensing member and an elastomeric valve member that allows for single-handed operation, equalizes internal pressure through a vent aperture, and seals the drinking aperture when not in use, featuring a fulcrum and biasing member to control fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex liquid dispensing lid mechanism is used to control fluid flow and equalize pressure, then the functionality and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases making it difficult to operate and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into separate functional components: a lid body with integrated sealing gasket, a movable fluid dispensing member with fulcrum, an elastomeric valve member with biasing member, and separate vent and drinking apertures. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall structure for easier cleaning and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure equalization function is extracted and separated from the drinking mechanism by providing a dedicated vent aperture that communicates with the internal cavity. This allows pressure equalization to occur independently through the vent aperture while liquid is consumed through the drinking aperture, preventing splashing without complicating the drinking mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a single finger operation mechanism is implemented for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid dispensing member is made movable along a predetermined path between sealed and unsealed positions, allowing dynamic control of liquid flow. The elastomeric valve member with biasing member provides automatic return to the sealed position after actuation, enabling simple single-finger operation without complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member automatically returns the fluid dispensing member to the sealed position after the user releases it, and the vent aperture automatically equalizes pressure as needed. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If the lid seals all liquid within the container to prevent spilling, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in accessing liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is pre-configured with both a vent aperture for pressure equalization and a drinking aperture for liquid access. The sealing gasket is pre-installed on the lid body to ensure liquid containment. When the user needs to drink, they simply actuate the movable fluid dispensing member to unseal the drinking aperture, combining reliable containment with easy access.
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 solution effectively prevents splashing during consumption by equalizing internal pressure and allows for easy cleaning and disassembly, ensuring the lid remains sanitary and functional for various beverages.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member which biasingly couples the fluid dispensing member to the lid body
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric valve member which is releasably borne by the elongated fluid dispensing member
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid dispensing lid includes a lid body having an upper lower surface and a peripheral edge, and is sized so as to releasably cooperate with a fluid dispensing vessel having an internal cavity, and the lid body further defines a drinking aperture and a vent aperture; an elongated fluid dispensing member is mounted on the upper surface of the lid body; and an elastomeric valve member is releasably borne by the elongated fluid dispensing member, and which further is operable to move the elongated fluid dispensing member along a predetermined path of travel between a first and a second position.