Lid assembly for a beverage container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing beverage container lids often lack clear indication of their removable configuration, leading to accidental spills and inconvenience, as users may not easily discern when the stopper can be removed without fully taking it off, which can result in loss and unsanitary conditions.

Innovation Solution

A lid assembly with a stopper that threads or rotates between closed, open, and removable configurations, providing audible, tactile, or resistance-based indications to the user, allowing for selective opening and closing without full removal, and enabling convenient cleaning and reattachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the stopper is made fully removable for cleaning and filling, then ease of operation is improved, but the risk of accidental loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidrisk of loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid assembly is segmented into three distinct components: the lid body, the stopper, and the retaining structure. This segmentation allows the stopper to be independently removable for cleaning while the lid body remains attached to the container, reducing the risk of complete loss while maintaining ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A retaining structure acts as an intermediary between the stopper and the lid body. This intermediary component provides a controlled attachment mechanism that allows the stopper to be removed for cleaning but prevents accidental complete removal, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and risk of loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the stopper is made fully removable for cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but sanitation is worsened due to unnecessary removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the assembly into removable stopper and fixed lid body components, the design enables targeted cleaning of only the stopper when needed, rather than requiring removal of the entire lid assembly. This reduces unnecessary exposure of the lid body to contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for partial removal (stopper only) rather than complete removal (entire lid assembly) for cleaning purposes. This partial action approach maintains sanitation by minimizing unnecessary removal of the lid body while still providing access to the stopper for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the stopper requires full removal for drinking, then sealing is improved, but convenience is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoiddrinking convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the stopper as a separate removable component from the lid body enables partial opening functionality. Users can remove only the stopper to access the beverage while the lid body remains attached, providing both sealing when closed and drinking convenience when opened.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic design allows the stopper to transition between fully attached (sealed), partially removed (drinking), and fully removed (cleaning) states. This dynamic capability provides sealing when needed while enabling convenient drinking without requiring complete lid removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the stopper is made non-removable for safety, then reliability is improved, but ease of cleaning is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of lossVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Segmenting the stopper as a separate but retained component allows it to be easily removable for cleaning while maintaining a controlled attachment that prevents accidental loss. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between reliability and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining structure serves as an intermediary that provides controlled removability. It allows the stopper to be intentionally removed for cleaning while preventing accidental complete removal, thus maintaining both reliability and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12043452B2Lid assembly for a beverage container

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 THERMOS LLC

AI summary

A lid for use with a beverage container is described. The lid includes a lid body to fit into an opening of the beverage container. The lid includes a stopper that threadably engages with the lid body. A fluid passage is formed between the lid body and the stopper. The rotation of the stopper relative to the lid body provides an indication that the stopper and the lid body are in the open configuration and/or the removable configuration. The indication may include an audible indication, a tactile indication, or an increase in resistance.