Straw Beverage Container Venting for Leak-Free Drinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage containers with straws face issues of leakage when tilted during drinking and generation of negative pressure, making it difficult for users, especially infants, to consume beverages easily.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container design featuring a base member with first and second ventilation means, and a cap body with ventilation open/close means that regulates pressure variations by closing the first ventilation means during carrying and opening it during drinking, introducing external air to prevent negative pressure when the user drinks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ventilation hole is opened to prevent warm milk from squirting out, then the beverage can be consumed easily, but the beverage leaks out when carrying the container

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage consumption easeVSAvoidleakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation hole dynamically changes its state between open and closed based on the cap position. When the cap is removed (drinking state), the ventilation hole opens to allow air intake and prevent negative pressure. When the cap is attached (carrying state), the ventilation hole closes to prevent leakage. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between ease of consumption and leakage prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically controls the ventilation hole state based on cap detection without user intervention. The cap's attachment or removal automatically triggers the ventilation hole to close or open, eliminating the need for manual operation and ensuring reliable leakage prevention while maintaining easy beverage consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the ventilation hole is closed to prevent beverage leakage during carrying, then leakage is prevented, but negative pressure builds up making it difficult to drink

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage preventionVSAvoidbeverage consumption ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation hole transitions from a closed state during carrying to an open state during drinking. This dynamic change ensures that the hole remains closed to prevent leakage when the container is transported, then opens automatically when the cap is removed to allow air intake and maintain positive pressure for easy drinking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cap's presence or absence automatically controls the ventilation hole state. When the cap is attached, the system maintains a closed ventilation hole for leakage prevention. When the cap is removed, the system automatically opens the ventilation hole to prevent negative pressure, eliminating the need for manual user action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual operation of air hole control valve is required to open/close ventilation, then ventilation can be controlled, but user operation becomes troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation controlVSAvoiduser operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap itself serves as the control mechanism for the ventilation hole. The cap's attachment and removal automatically perform the function of opening and closing the ventilation hole, eliminating the need for a separate manually operated control valve. This self-service approach maintains reliable ventilation control while completely removing the burden of manual operation from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cap performs multiple functions: it seals the beverage container opening, protects the straw, and simultaneously controls the ventilation hole state. By integrating the ventilation control function into the cap, the system eliminates the need for a separate control valve, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable ventilation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 prevents leakage when tilted and maintains positive pressure, allowing easy consumption of beverages by regulating pressure variations, thus enhancing usability and reducing leakage risks.

Implementation Method 1

first ventilation means for regulating a pressure variation in the container main body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure variation regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

second ventilation means for introducing air from outside when the pressure within the container main body enters a negative pressure state in relation to outside pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir introduction for pressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2033905B1Beverage container
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 PIGEON CORP
  • EP2033905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2033905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2033905B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides a beverage container, which is capable of preventing a beverage contained in a container main body from leaking out even when a user tilts it, and allows the user to drink the beverage easily even when the pressure within the container main body becomes negative or the like. The beverage container 10 has a container main body 11, a base member 12, and a cap body 15; the base member has first ventilation means 18 for regulating a pressure variation in the container main body, and second ventilation means 17 for introducing air from the outside when the pressure within the container main body becomes negative in relation to the outside pressure and capable of preventing leakage of a liquid beverage contained in the container main body; the cap body has ventilation open/close means 15a and the like capable of changing the state of the first ventilation means to a ventilation state or a closed state; the ventilation open/close means brings the first ventilation means into the closed state in the case of a portable state in which the user can carry the beverage container and a drinking state in which the user can use the drinking spout, and brings the first ventilation means into the ventilation state in the case of an operating state.