Rotatable Sipper Lid With Flexible Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container lids lack a design that effectively integrates a sipping member and a handle for enhanced usability, portability, and convenience, as they either compromise on sealing or ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A container lid with a rotatable sipping member coupled to a flexible handle, where the sipping member can be stowed away for carrying and released by applying a downward force, allowing for leak-proof sealing and easy access to the contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a sipping member is integrated into the container lid, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to contentsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sipping member is integrated into the container lid structure, combining the sealing function and sipping function into a single unified component. The sipping member includes a body with a passageway that aligns with the container opening, merging the cap and sipper into one element that provides both sealing and drinking access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sipping member is configured to be rotatable between a stowed position (where the passageway is misaligned with the opening for sealing) and a released position (where the passageway aligns with the opening for sipping). This dynamic positioning allows the same component to serve dual functions of sealing and sipping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a handle is added to the lid for carrying, then portability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is integrated into the lid structure as a unified component rather than a separate attachment. The handle extends from the lid body and is configured to receive a user's hand, combining the lid and carrying handle into one element that provides both sealing and portability functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the sipping member is made rotatable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of sealing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to contentsVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sipping member automatically seals when in the stowed position through its own geometry, where the body of the sipping member obstructs the fluid path between the passageway and container opening. No additional sealing mechanism is required as the sipping member's own structure provides the seal when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the handle is made flexible for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but strength deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort of carryingVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is made of a flexible material that can deform under applied force, allowing it to flex when a user grasps and carries the container. This flexibility provides comfort and adaptability to different hand sizes and gripping styles while maintaining sufficient structural strength for carrying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20230278759A1Container lid with rotatable sipper and flexible handle

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 COOL GEAR INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A container lid can include: a body having an opening formed therethrough; a sipping member rotatably coupled to the body, a passageway formed through an interior of the sipping member so as to extend from a proximal end of the sipping member to a distal end of the sipping member, the sipping member configured to rotate between a stowed position in which the passageway and the opening are misaligned, such that the opening is sealed, and a released position in which the passageway and the opening are aligned; and a flexible handle connected at a first end to the sipping member and rotatably coupled at a second end to the body via a pivot pin. The handle can be configured such that a substantially downward force exerted on the handle causes rotation of the sipping member toward the released position.