Retractable Spout Container with Deformable Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Athletes face hydration loss through perspiration during athletic activities, leading to potential impairment of performance due to accelerated fatigue, and existing fluid containers do not efficiently manage fluid consumption and sealing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid container with a movable spout that can be retracted to prevent fluid leakage and extended for consumption, featuring a deformable exterior surface and a protrusion in the neck to form a seal, allowing for secure storage and easy drinking, even when wearing a helmet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spout is extended to allow fluid consumption, then ease of operation is improved, but fluid leakage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions. When extended, it allows fluid consumption; when retracted, it prevents leakage. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between the two states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A deformable seal member is introduced as an intermediary between the spout and the environment. This seal member deforms to accommodate the spout in different positions, enabling both fluid consumption when extended and leakage prevention when retracted, thus mediating the contradiction between these two functions.
2Reliability
If the spout is retracted to prevent fluid leakage, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spout's ability to dynamically change position between retracted and extended states allows the system to maintain reliability when retracted while providing ease of operation when extended. The user can switch between states based on whether fluid containment or fluid consumption is the priority.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout mechanism is designed to be easily operable by the user without requiring additional tools or complex operations. The simple extension and retraction mechanism allows the user to self-manage the trade-off between reliability and ease of operation based on immediate needs.
3Reliability
If a seal is formed to prevent leakage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable seal member, likely made of flexible material, is used to form the seal. This flexible seal can deform to accommodate the spout in different positions and maintain sealing effectiveness without requiring a complex rigid sealing mechanism. The simplicity of the flexible seal design helps minimize device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 container effectively manages fluid consumption by preventing leakage when not in use and allowing easy access when needed, enhancing athletic performance by maintaining hydration levels.
Implementation Method 1
an exterior surface of the spout is at least partially formed from a deformable material, and a protrusion in the neck contacts the material and extends into the material to form a seal
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid container may have a body that defines a void for receiving a fluid. A neck extends outward from the body, and a spout the spout is at least partially located within the neck. The spout is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. When the spout is in the retracted position, a majority of the spout is located within the neck and the fluid is prevented from flowing out of the container through the spout. When the spout is in the extended position, however, the spout extends outward from the neck and the fluid is free to flow out of the container through the spout. An exterior surface of the spout may be at least partially formed from a deformable material, and a protrusion in the neck contacts the material and extends into the material to form a seal.