Foldable silicone water cup is widely welcomed for its portability, and whether the deformation of silicone during the folding process is uniform is an important aspect to measure its quality.
Silicone is a highly elastic material whose molecular structure gives it a unique deformation ability. For Foldable silicone water cup, ideally, silicone should deform uniformly during the folding process. From the characteristics of the material itself, if the silicone formula is uniform, there are no impurities or uneven density inside, then when folded by external force, the molecular chains of each part will be stretched or compressed in a similar way. For example, in high-quality food-grade silicone, the ingredients are evenly mixed, which lays the foundation for uniform deformation.
From the design structure of the water cup, a reasonable structure helps to achieve uniform deformation of silicone. If the water cup adopts a simple and symmetrical folding design, such as folding in half along the center line or folding in multiple layers of equal proportions, the distribution of force will be easier to achieve balance during folding. On the contrary, if the structure is complex and asymmetrical, some parts may be subjected to excessive force while other parts are subjected to less force during the folding process, resulting in uneven deformation. For example, if there are too many raised or recessed designs at the folding part, the silicone around these parts may be subjected to additional stress during folding, causing excessive local deformation.
The manufacturing process also plays a key role in the uniformity of silicone deformation. During the injection molding or compression molding process, if the mold precision is not high enough, there is an uneven surface or an unreasonable internal structure, then the internal stress distribution of the silicone will be uneven during the silicone molding process. When the folding operation is performed, the area where stress concentration already exists will be the first to show excessive deformation. In addition, factors such as the demolding method and the cooling speed during the manufacturing process will also affect the internal structure of the silicone. If not handled properly, it may also cause uneven deformation.
Uneven deformation of silicone will bring a series of problems. On the one hand, uneven deformation may cause premature wear of the local part of the water cup, affecting its service life. For example, fine cracks may appear in the part with excessive deformation, and these cracks may expand as the number of uses increases. On the other hand, uneven deformation may also affect the appearance of the water cup, making it look distorted or uneven, reducing the user experience.
Therefore, during the design and manufacturing process of the Foldable silicone water cup, the characteristics of silicone, the structure of the water cup, and the manufacturing process should be fully considered to ensure uniform deformation of the silicone during the folding process.
