Variable-Flow Training Cup Rim for Spill-Controlled Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing training cups for toddlers do not adequately train children in fine mouth and lip movements necessary for drinking from a standard cup rim, as they often rely on spout-like mechanisms that do not mimic the experience of drinking from an open cup, and lack a mechanism to prevent spilling during travel.
Innovation Solution
A variable flow training cup with a control ring system that allows for adjustable flow restriction, featuring a large diameter drinking rim and a flow cap with a central panel and annular plug, enabling the cup to be fully closed for travel and open for drinking, with an infinite number of intermediate positions for varying flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard open cup is used for training, then the child can practice drinking from a cup rim, but the child will spill liquid during travel and when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is made rotatable relative to the cup body, allowing it to dynamically change orientation. When rotated to a first position, the cover permits drinking from the rim; when rotated to a second position, the cover blocks the opening to prevent spilling. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between enabling drinking practice and preventing spilling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sippy cup with spout is used, then spilling is prevented, but the child does not learn fine mouth and lip movements for drinking from a cup rim
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is provided with a drinking rim that protrudes beyond the cup body's rim, creating a cup-like drinking surface before the child actually drinks. This preliminary provision of a proper drinking rim allows the child to practice fine mouth and lip movements on an appropriate surface, while the cover can still be rotated to prevent spilling when not in use.
3Ease of operation
If the cup is fully open for drinking practice, then the child can use standard cup drinking motions, but liquid flow cannot be controlled and spilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable cover provides dynamic control over liquid flow. When the cover is in the first position, it allows free flow for drinking practice. When rotated to the second position, it blocks the opening to prevent spilling. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between allowing free flow for practice and controlling flow to prevent spilling.
Data Source
AI summary
A training cup for children includes a cup body. A flow cap having an annular flow gap is selectively mounted to the cup body. A control ring is mounted to the flow cap for relative longitudinal movement toward and away from the cup body. The control ring includes an annular plug. In a first position the plug will block the flow gap to prevent flow from the training cup. In a second position the plug is spaced from the flow gap to allow restricted flow from the training cup. An infinite variation of positions and flow restriction are allowed between this first and second position. The control ring includes a drinking rim which has a minimum diameter of approximately 42 mm to force the child to engage the drinking rim with the lips and use it as a cup.