Sliding Cup Lid Closure for Spill Control and Stackability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable cup lids face challenges such as difficulty in operation, ineffective spillage control, high material and storage costs, and inability to stack in a cup on lid arrangement, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies.
Innovation Solution
A reclosable cup lid made from thermoplastic material with a domed member and an elongate closure panel that slides radially within slide tracks on the lid, allowing for easy operation, effective sealing, and stackability, while being durable and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a folding closure panel is used in disposable cup lids, then cost is reduced, but operation difficulty increases and spillage control becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The closure panel is designed to be displaceable along a radial direction between open and closed positions, transforming a static folding structure into a dynamic sliding mechanism that is both easy to operate and effective at sealing
2Ease of manufacture
If a folding closure panel is used in disposable cup lids, then cost is reduced, but spillage control becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding closure panel provides dynamic sealing capability that reliably prevents spillage while maintaining cost-effectiveness for disposable applications
Solution Approach 2:
The closure panel geometry and slide track configuration are optimized to ensure effective sealing across various cup sizes and beverage types, including hot beverages
3Reliability
If a reclosable lid with slide panel is used, then spillage control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is divided into functional segments (domed member, closure panel, slide tracks, finger engageable portion) that work together to provide reclosable functionality with effective spillage control
Solution Approach 2:
The slide tracks serve as intermediary structures that guide the closure panel movement, enabling smooth transitions between open and closed positions while maintaining structural integrity
4Reliability
If a reclosable lid with slide panel is used, then spillage control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure panel and domed member are integrated into a unified reclosable lid structure, combining multiple functions (sealing, opening, closing, stacking) into a single manufacturable unit that reduces overall production cost
Data Source
AI summary
A reclosable cup lid thermoformed from a polymeric material includes a domed member and an elongate closure panel. The thermoformed domed member is provided with a sidewall and a top wall, the top wall having upper and lower surfaces and a drinking aperture at a periphery of the top wall. The top wall further defines a pair of slide tracks depending from the lower surface of the top wall and also defines a post aperture disposed inwardly with respect to the drinking aperture. The elongate closure panel has opposed engagement edges, an upper surface provided with a post projecting upwardly therefrom, and a drinking aperture sealing area. As assembled, the domed member and elongate closure panel are configured such that the opposed engagement edges of the elongate closure panel are slidingly mounted in the slide tracks for generally radial displacement.