Weighted Beverage Container Bottom for Tip Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage containers often topple over inadvertently, leading to spills, as existing designs fail to effectively manage the center of mass and density distribution to prevent tipping, especially at higher angles.

Innovation Solution

A beverage container design featuring a balance mass with a core encapsulated by an FDA-approved polymer, positioned to adjust the center of mass and include a tip lip portion with a condensate retention ridge and aperture, which forms a condensate channel to prevent spills and maintain stability at various angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a beverage container is designed with conventional mass distribution, then it is simple to manufacture, but it topples over inadvertently leading to spills

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidmass distribution structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by introducing a balance mass component with density greater than the beverage, positioned at the bottom of the container. This balance mass acts as a counterweight to the beverage mass, creating a stable center of gravity that prevents the container from toppling over, directly resolving the stability issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of a straightforward mass addition approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If a balance mass is added to prevent toppling, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip resistanceVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the balance mass with the container bottom structure by positioning the balance mass in pressing engagement with the bottom portion and allowing it to conform to the inner surface. This integration approach combines the stabilizing function with the existing container structure, improving tip resistance while minimizing the increase in device complexity through structural merging rather than adding separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the balance mass is positioned adjacent the inner surface, then it effectively prevents toppling, but it may dislodge unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidretention security

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a friction portion on the balance mass that engages with the container interior wall. This friction engagement acts as a preventive measure against dislodgement, securing the balance mass in position before any tipping or dislodgement can occur, thus maintaining both stability and retention security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If the container is designed to tilt at higher angles, then spill prevention is improved, but condensate management becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespill preventionVSAvoidcondensate leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the condensate management function by providing a separate condensate retention ridge and condensate aperture system distinct from the balance mass stabilizing function. The condensate retention ridge collects condensate that forms on the container exterior, and the condensate aperture provides a controlled drainage path, separating the spill prevention mechanism from condensate management to prevent harmful condensate leakage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design significantly reduces the likelihood of spills by ensuring the container remains upright at higher angles, with the balance mass's increased density and strategic placement maintaining balance and preventing unintentional dislodgement.

Implementation Method 1

A balance mass in pressing engagement with the bottom portion... in which the density of the core is greater than the density of a beverage of the beverage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCenter of mass: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a tip lip portion with a condensate retention ridge, and a condensate aperture. The condensate retention ridge in cooperation with a side portion of the balance mass forms a condensate channel, and the condensate aperture drains condensate from the condensate channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS8870019B2Tip resistant beverage container having internal balance mass

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 MASSAD GARY L

AI summary

A beverage container that includes at least a bottom portion with a side portion extending from the bottom portion, and a balance mass in pressing engagement with the bottom portion is disclosed. The balance mass is adjacent an inner surface of the bottom portion in a preferred embodiment, and adjacent an outer surface in an alternate preferred embodiment. In each embodiment, the balance mass includes at least a core portion encapsulated by an encapsulant, in which the density of the core is greater than the density of a beverage of the beverage container. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the balance mass further includes a tip lip portion with a condensate retention ridge, and a condensate aperture. The condensate retention ridge, in cooperation with a side portion of the balance mass, forms a condensate channel, and the condensate aperture drains condensate from the condensate channel.