Adjustable Cup Holder With Flexible Wrap for Secure Hot Drink Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage containers, especially those with hot or cold contents, can be painful to hold due to temperature and may be difficult to grasp without spilling, and some materials can break if gripped too tightly, posing a risk of spillage and physical injury.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable cup holder with a flexible wrap and handle attachment using hook and loop fabric straps, allowing secure fitting around various container sizes and shapes, enabling the consumer to hold the container by the handle rather than the container itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the consumer holds the beverage container directly, then the consumer can consume the beverage, but the consumer may be injured by hot or cold temperatures and may spill the beverage due to difficulty in grasping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cup holder as an intermediary device between the consumer's hand and the beverage container. The cup holder includes a handle and a cup-retaining portion that securely holds the container, allowing the consumer to hold the cup holder rather than the hot or cold container directly. This mediator transfers the holding function while isolating the consumer from temperature extremes and improving grip stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the beverage container is made from flexible material, then the container is lightweight and easy to manufacture, but the container is difficult to grasp without spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder serves as a mediator that compensates for the flexibility of the container material. By providing a rigid handle and a securing mechanism with hooks and loops, the cup holder creates a stable gripping interface that overcomes the difficulty of grasping flexible containers, while the containers themselves remain easy to manufacture from flexible materials.
3Ease of operation
If the consumer grips the beverage container tightly, then the consumer can hold the container securely, but the container may break resulting in spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder acts as a protective intermediary between the consumer's gripping force and the beverage container. The securing mechanism with hooks and loops provides gentle but effective retention without requiring tight gripping that could damage the container. The force is distributed through the cup holder structure rather than concentrated on the container walls.
4Reliability
If a cup holder is designed to fit specific container sizes, then the fit is secure, but the cup holder cannot accommodate various sizes and shapes of beverage containers
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including adjustable straps with hooks and loops that can be tightened or loosened to accommodate different container sizes. The flexible wrap and adjustable positioning allow the cup holder to adapt its configuration to fit various container dimensions while maintaining secure retention through adjustable tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder is designed as a universal device that can accommodate multiple types of beverage containers including cans, bottles, and cups of various sizes and shapes. The combination of a flexible wrap, adjustable straps, and a securing mechanism creates a multi-functional system that adapts to different container geometries while providing reliable holding security.
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 solution provides a safe and convenient way to handle beverage containers of different sizes and materials, preventing spills and potential injuries from hot or cold temperatures, while ensuring secure grip without damaging the container.
Implementation Method 1
Both straps are constructed of a hook and loop fabric such as VelcroTM (a registered trademark of Velcro Industries, B. V.) material
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable cup holder which consists of a flexible wrap, a handle, a first adjustable strap, and second adjustable strap and a ring which may be used to safely hold a beverage container or cup. The handle is attached to the flexible wrap as are the first and second adjustable straps. The flexible wrap is placed around a beverage container and the end of the first and second adjustable strap are inserted through the rings, tightened and affixed to the flexible wrap. The handle is now securely affixed to the beverage container allowing the consumer to safely and conveniently handle the beverage container.