Insulated food and beverage container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulated containers fail to maintain temperature effectively, lead to condensation and metal leaching issues, and do not provide adequate hygiene during use.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum-insulated container with a double-walled structure made of metal, featuring a removable glass insert and a deformable flange for secure placement, which prevents direct contact with the metal and reduces condensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a metal container is used for insulation, then temperature maintenance is improved, but metal leaching into food or beverage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a glass insert as an intermediary barrier between the metal container and the beverage. The glass insert prevents direct contact between the metal walls and the beverage, thereby eliminating metal leaching while preserving the thermal insulation properties of the metal container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs a composite structure combining metal outer walls for insulation with an inner glass liner for chemical inertness. This composite design allows the system to simultaneously achieve thermal insulation from the metal and prevent metal leaching through the glass barrier.
2Temperature
If ice is added to cool beverages, then cooling effect is improved, but beverage dilution occurs after ice melts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ice from the beverage container entirely by providing a separate ice holder that is thermally isolated from the beverage chamber. This extraction of the cooling agent from direct contact with the beverage allows cooling without dilution, as the ice cannot melt into the drink.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is segmented into distinct functional zones: a beverage chamber and a separate ice holder. This segmentation creates thermal coupling for cooling while maintaining physical separation to prevent mixing, allowing the ice to cool the beverage through the container walls without contaminating the drink.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If glass container is used, then hygiene is improved, but container becomes slippery when condensation forms
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a composite design with a glass inner liner for hygiene and chemical inertness, combined with an outer metal structure that provides thermal insulation and can be designed with non-slip surface characteristics. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both hygiene and grip stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal outer structure acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the glass inner container. This intermediate layer provides thermal insulation to prevent condensation on the exterior surface that the user contacts, thereby maintaining grip stability while preserving the hygiene benefits of the glass interior.
4Temperature
If hot beverage is placed in container, then temperature maintenance is improved, but container becomes too hot to hold
Solution Approach 1:
The metal container walls serve as a thermal intermediary, providing insulation between the hot beverage and the user's hand. This intermediate thermal barrier allows the beverage to maintain its temperature while preventing excessive heat transfer to the exterior surface, making the container comfortable to hold.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs a composite structure with thermally insulating materials in the container walls, creating a thermal gradient that preserves beverage temperature internally while keeping the external surface at a comfortable temperature for handling.
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
Effectively maintains temperature, prevents metal leaching, and ensures user safety and hygiene by keeping the glass insert secure and away from direct contact with the metal.
Implementation Method 1
The double-walled structure is vacuum-insulated
Implementation Method 2
vacuum-insulated outer container
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated container for food particulate and beverages is described. The insulated container includes a double-walled structure composed of a metal, and a glass structure arranged within a hollow interior of the double-walled structure. The glass structure includes a body and a sipping portion extending from the body. The sipping portion isolates the user's lips from contacting the double-walled structure. The glass structure may be repeatably removed for cleaning or replacement. The insulated structure includes a deformable flange that secures the glass structure to the double-walled structure. The insulated container may be vacuum-insulated.