Container for spillproof container assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spillproof container assemblies for toddlers are difficult to tighten and untighten securely, leading to potential leakage and spillage, and are not optimized for grippability by small children or caregivers, often requiring improper orientation for drinking.
Innovation Solution
The design includes lid and container wings for improved grippability and torque application, along with visual, audible, and tactile feedback mechanisms to indicate optimal tightening, such as viewing ports and acoustic waveguides, to ensure proper alignment and secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lid is overtightened onto the cup body, then the seal is improved and leakage is prevented, but the threads and sealing surfaces deform and the lid becomes difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a ratchet mechanism that allows the lid to be tightened in one direction while preventing backward rotation for removal without requiring excessive force. This preliminary mechanical arrangement ensures proper tightening is achieved before use, and the same mechanism facilitates easy removal by simply reversing the tightening action, thus resolving the contradiction between seal integrity and ease of removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent includes visual indicators (such as colored rings or markings) that provide feedback to the user about the tightening status of the lid. When the lid is properly tightened, the indicators align or change color to signal optimal sealing without overtightening, preventing deformation of threads and sealing surfaces while ensuring adequate seal integrity
2Ease of operation
If the lid is not fully screwed onto the cup body, then the lid is easy to remove, but fluid leakage and makeup air entry occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism is designed to automatically engage at a predetermined tightening position, ensuring the lid is secured sufficiently to prevent leakage while maintaining ease of removal. The mechanism pre-positions the lid at the optimal sealing point without requiring the user to apply excessive force or judge the correct tightness
Solution Approach 2:
Visual indicators provide real-time feedback during the tightening process, showing the user when the lid has reached the optimal sealing position. This prevents both under-tightening (which would cause leakage) and over-tightening (which would make removal difficult), ensuring reliable sealing while maintaining operational ease
3Ease of manufacture
If the lid and cup body are substantially cylindrical in transverse cross-section, then the design is simple and manufacturing is easy, but gripping during tightening and untightening is difficult, especially when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates asymmetrical grip features such as protrusions, ridges, or textured surfaces on the lid and/or cup body that break the cylindrical symmetry. These asymmetrical features provide natural handholds and increase friction for better gripping during tightening and untightening operations, while still being compatible with standard injection molding processes to maintain manufacturing simplicity
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
Enhances the secure closure of the lid, reduces spillage, and improves usability for both children and caregivers by providing clear feedback on proper tightening and orientation, making the container assembly easier to handle and use.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic waveguide defined in the lid body for transmitting a sound to the user
Data Source
AI summary
A spillproof container assembly includes a container body and a lid body that is adapted to be fastened onto the container body by screwing. Both the container body and the lid body are advantageously provided with outwardly extending wing portions for enhancing the grippability of and properly orienting the container assembly for small children. The outwardly extending wing portions of the container body are aligned with the outwardly extending wing portions of the lid body. The lid body is provided with an acoustic waveguide, and sound generating structure is provided in communication with the acoustic waveguide for creating an audible feedback when the lid body has been tightened onto the container body to a predetermined relative position and tightness. The acoustic waveguide further functions as a viewing port that provides a visual feedback so that a user can visually verify the position of the lid body with respect to the container body. In addition, the wing portions of the lid body are designed to slightly interfere with and cam over respective upper platforms on the wing portions of the container body so that a user will be provided with a tactical feedback as a lid body is approaching an optimal amount of tightness with respect to the container body.