Multi-Compartment Drink Container With Film-Piercing Mixer Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-use drink containers do not effectively allow for the separation and mixing of multiple liquids in individually isolated compartments, limiting the versatility and convenience of preparing mixed drinks.
Innovation Solution
A drink container design featuring a lower container with dividers forming multiple compartments, an upper container that screws onto the lower one with a cutter mechanism to pierce a sealing film, allowing for simultaneous unsealing and mixing of liquids within the compartments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-use drink container uses a simple single-chamber design, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the versatility and functionality for preparing mixed drinks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple separate compartments within a single chamber, each capable of holding different liquids. This segmentation allows the container to prepare multiple mixed drinks simultaneously while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using standard molding techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design incorporates multiple functional elements including compartments for different liquids, mixing mechanisms, and pouring controls, allowing a single container to perform multiple functions (storage, separation, mixing, and serving) that would otherwise require multiple separate devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container separates multiple liquids in individually isolated compartments, then the separation and mixing capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to dividers and sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses thin film separators or flexible membranes to divide compartments, allowing for effective liquid separation while minimizing structural complexity. These thin films can be integrated into the molding process and allow for easy manipulation during the mixing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The divider structures are designed to be nested within the container walls or integrated into the compartment structure, rather than being separate components. This nesting approach reduces the overall number of parts and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining effective compartment separation.
3Ease of operation
If the container includes a cutter mechanism to pierce sealing film, then the ease of operation for unsealing compartments is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter mechanism is designed to be activated by the user's own actions during normal operation - for example, by pressing a button or twisting the container body. This self-service approach allows the cutting function to be integrated without requiring separate motors or complex actuation systems, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter mechanism is merged with existing structural elements of the container, such as the cap or body walls, rather than being a separate component. This integration reduces the number of parts to manufacture and assemble, while the cutting function remains easily accessible to the user during 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
Enables the separation and efficient mixing of multiple liquids in individually isolated compartments, enhancing the convenience of preparing cocktails by allowing for easy preparation and pouring of mixed drinks.
Implementation Method 1
a cutter, the cutter being operably attached to an internal surface of the upper container at a first end, wherein a cutting edge of the cutter is nearer the film than the first end of the cutter
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to a drink container that includes a lower container having a void formed therein configured to hold a liquid, a divider disposed in the void of the lower container, the divider configured to form a plurality of compartments, each compartment being configured to separately hold a liquid, wherein each of the compartments has an open top portion, a film configured to seal the top portions of each of the plurality of compartments, a upper container configured to interact with the lower container and a cutter, the cutter being operably attached to an internal surface of the upper container at a first end, wherein a cutting edge of the cutter is nearer the film than the first end of the cutter.