Spill resistant cup lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage lids fail to simultaneously prevent spillage and provide a natural drinking experience, with spout-based designs offering splash resistance at the expense of drinking comfort and reservoir-based designs increasing the risk of splashing.
Innovation Solution
A lid with a reservoir that includes a slanted upper and lower wall portion with vertically oriented inlets, allowing liquid to fill when tilted for drinking and drain back into the container when not in use, providing both splash resistance and a natural drinking experience without additional manual flaps or plugs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spout-based designs with horizontal drink inlets are used, then the liquid flow path is maximized for direct consumption, but spillage and splashing increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal drink inlet orientation to a vertical orientation, changing the dimensional arrangement of the inlet relative to the cup's axis. This vertical orientation allows liquid to flow downward into the reservoir, utilizing gravity to control flow direction and reduce splashing while maintaining drinking convenience through the reservoir's design
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual closing flaps or plugs are added to prevent splashing, then spillage protection improves, but manufacturing cost increases and drinking experience is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The lid design is self-regulating through its geometric features. The radially inwardly slanted upper and lower wall portions of the reservoir, combined with the vertically oriented inlets, create a structure that automatically prevents splashing without requiring manual flaps or plugs. The design serves its own protection function through its inherent geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is divided into distinct wall portions (upper and lower wall portions) with specific orientations, segmenting the liquid containment space to control flow paths. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions in preventing splashing while maintaining a simple single-piece structure
3Ease of operation
If reservoir-based designs with larger drink openings are used, then natural drinking experience is provided, but splash resistance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the reservoir have different wall orientations tailored to their specific functions. The upper wall portion has a first radial inward slant optimized for one aspect of liquid control, while the lower wall portion has a second radial inward slant optimized for another aspect, creating locally optimized surfaces that collectively provide both natural drinking and splash resistance
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 lid effectively balances splash resistance and natural drinking experience by strategically positioning inlets to minimize spillage while allowing easy consumption, similar to a regular mug.
Implementation Method 1
wherein at least one of the upper wall portion, the lower wall portion, the upper level, and the lower level are configured to drain the one or more liquids from the reservoir when the container is not in a drinking position, by allowing the one or more liquids to flow towards the container through the one or more inlets
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a lid for containers including one or more liquids. The lid is configured to provide the user with both protection from spillage, and a natural drinking experience. The structural features of the lid include a rim, a top surface, and a reservoir. The reservoir includes one or more drink inlets positioned on a lower wall portion configured to allow the one or more liquids from the container to pass through when the lid is in a drinking position, and to drain the one or more liquids from the lid to the container when the lid is not in a drinking position.