Non-Spill Lid Assembly With Twist Fastener for Easy Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-spill drinking container lids often feature complex valve elements and gaskets that are difficult to clean, prone to deformation, and may leak, especially when used by young children or individuals with limited mobility, as they require deformation or removal for cleaning and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A lid device with a sealing element seated within a collar, secured by a twist fastener, which allows fluid flow by suction and further opens with lip compression, providing a wider flow path without deforming the seal, and is easily disassembled for cleaning, using a soft, elastic, and non-toxic silicone material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a gasket or sealing element is made removable and deformable for cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but the sealing reliability deteriorates due to permanent deformation and misshaping
Solution Approach 1:
The lid device is divided into separate components: a collar, a sealing element, and a twist fastener. The sealing element is seated within the collar and secured by the twist fastener, allowing the sealing element to be removed without deformation by unscrewing the fastener rather than pulling or prying.
Solution Approach 2:
The twist fastener provides a dynamic securing mechanism that allows easy attachment and removal of the sealing element without applying deforming forces. The threaded connection enables controlled assembly and disassembly, preventing the permanent deformation that occurs with forceful removal methods.
2Reliability
If complex valve elements and spouts are used to prevent spillage, then spill-proof performance is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates complex internal valve elements and spouts by using a simple sealing element that rests against the rim of the collar. The sealing is achieved through the interaction between the sealing element and collar rim, without requiring intricate valve mechanisms, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining spill-proof performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is localized to the interface between the sealing element and the collar rim. The sealing element has a specific sealing surface that contacts the rim to create the seal, concentrating the sealing function at this local interface rather than requiring complex distributed valve structures throughout the lid.
3Ease of operation
If a sealing element is pulled or pushed off a protrusion for cleaning, then ease of cleaning is improved, but the sealing element may tear or fail due to deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The lid device separates the sealing element from the collar structure using a twist fastener mechanism. This segmentation allows the sealing element to be removed by simply unscrewing the fastener, eliminating the need to pull or push the sealing element off a protrusion and preventing tears or structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The twist fastener acts as an intermediary between the sealing element and the collar. Instead of directly attaching the sealing element to the collar protrusion, the fastener provides a controlled connection that can be easily released, preventing direct mechanical stress on the sealing element during removal.
4Productivity
If internal channels are provided in the sealing element for fluid flow, then fluid flow capability is improved, but hygiene deteriorates due to trapped dirt and germs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes internal channels from the sealing element entirely. Instead of routing fluid through channels within the sealing element, the design allows fluid to flow along the external rim of the collar, keeping the sealing element's surfaces simple and exposed for easy cleaning without hidden crevices where dirt and germs could be trapped.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow path is localized to the external rim surface of the collar rather than being distributed through internal channels. This concentrates the fluid flow along an exposed, easily accessible surface that can be thoroughly cleaned, eliminating the hygiene problems associated with internal channels while maintaining fluid flow capability.
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 spill-proof, easy-to-clean, and energy-efficient fluid flow mechanism that can be used by individuals of all ages and abilities, ensuring effective sealing even when tipped or shaken, with exposed surfaces for thorough cleaning and standard sizes for various containers.
Implementation Method 1
suction by the mouth and compression by a person's lip causes the sealing element to separate from the collar and allow liquid to flow
Implementation Method 2
a person may compress the sealing element with their lip thereby widening the opening with less exertion of energy by a person in applying suction to drink from the container
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 2E~2F
AI summary
A non-spill drinking container (110, 12) lid device (10) comprising a collar (14), a sealing element (102, 16), and a twist fastener (18) that may be assembled and then attached as a lid device (10) to a drinking container (110, 12). When a person wants to drink from the container (110, 12), suction by the mouth and compression by a person's lip causes the sealing element (102, 16) to separate from the collar (14) and allow liquid to flow. The twist fastener (18) provides for adding contents to the container (110, 12) without removing the sealing element (102, 16) or collar (14).