Locking Bottle Lid Assembly for Comfortable Drinking Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking bottles with screw-on caps often have uncomfortable drinking spouts due to their fixed, short length and small diameter, and the mechanism for opening and closing the lid can be inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
A lockable lid assembly for drinking bottles featuring a rotatable flap with locking lugs and a gasket that can be deflected to disengage from notches, allowing for comfortable drinking and easy sealing, with a tab that can be moved to unlock the lid for opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screw-on cap with a fixed drinking spout is used, then the bottle can be easily opened and closed, but the drinking spout is uncomfortable due to its short length and small diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The drinking spout is made flexible instead of fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its shape and length. The spout can extend when the user pulls it, providing a longer, more comfortable drinking surface, and returns to its compact form when released. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of operation while improving drinking comfort through adaptive geometry.
2Ease of operation
If a lid with a drinking spout is used, then drinking access is provided, but the lid cannot be securely locked in the closed position
Solution Approach 1:
A separate locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the lid and bottle. The locking arm with engagement protrusions interfaces with corresponding recesses in the bottle, providing secure sealing without interfering with the drinking spout functionality. This intermediary component resolves the contradiction by maintaining both drinking access and sealing reliability through dedicated functional separation.
3Ease of operation
If the lid is made simple for easy opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to lock and seal the bottle is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lid system is segmented into distinct functional components: a simple main body for easy opening, a separate flexible drinking spout for comfort, and an independent locking arm mechanism for sealing. Each segment performs its specific function without complicating the others, resolving the contradiction by distributing complexity across separate modular elements while maintaining overall ease of operation.
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 provides a comfortable drinking experience by allowing the lid to be easily opened and closed, ensuring a secure seal and enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket configured to seal the drink opening in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
at least one locking lug projecting from the flexible portion and configured to engage the at least one notch in a closed position
Implementation Method 3
The flexible portion can be deflected a distance greater than a height of the at least one locking lug in the unlocked position
Data Source
AI summary
A drinking bottle assembly includes a lid assembly with a lid housing having a top wall, a flap rotatably coupled to the top wall, and a gasket secured to the flap. A drink opening extends through the top wall. A rim extends above the top wall. At least one notch is located in an inner surface of the rim. The flap includes a flexible portion or extension and at least one locking lug projecting from the flexible portion. The locking lug engages the at least one notch in a closed position. The flap is rotatable from the closed position to a fully open position. The gasket is configured to seal the drink opening in the closed position.