Automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage container holders are inflexible and specifically sized, making it difficult for individuals with tremors or impaired coordination to hold and drink from containers of varying sizes and shapes without assistance, which increases the need for caregivers and reduces user dignity.
Innovation Solution
A beverage container receptacle with a shell and flexible bands that self-adjust to stabilize containers of different sizes and shapes, equipped with handles for easy grasping and an accessory mounting system on the bottom for additional stability and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size beverage container holder is used, then the holder provides stable support for containers of a specific size, but it cannot accommodate containers of varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible bands instead of rigid fixed structures. The flexible bands can dynamically adjust their position and tension to accommodate containers of different sizes while maintaining stable support. The bands are retained by slots that allow vertical movement, enabling the system to adapt to varying container dimensions while preserving reliability through the elastic restoring force of the bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the support mechanism from rigid to flexible. The flexible bands can elongate and contract, changing their effective length and position to match different container sizes. This parameter change allows the holder to maintain optimal support conditions for various container dimensions without compromising stability.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid fixed-size holder is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but manual adjustments are required to accommodate different container sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bands perform self-adjustment automatically when a container is placed in the holder. The bands elastically deform to fit the container's dimensions and then exert restoring force to secure it, eliminating the need for manual adjustment. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while introducing only minimal structural complexity through the flexible band and slot retention system.
3Ease of operation
If handles are added to the holder, then ease of grasping is improved for individuals with impaired coordination, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handles are merged with the existing holder structure rather than being separate add-on components. The handles are integrated into the holder body, sharing common materials and manufacturing processes, which minimizes the increase in device complexity while maximizing the improvement in ease of grasping for users with impaired coordination or tremors.
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
Enables individuals with impaired coordination to drink independently by stabilizing a wide range of container sizes and shapes, reducing caregiver assistance and allowing for easy attachment of accessories for enhanced stability and monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a set of flexible bands within the shell to stabilize and retain most beverage containers inserted into it
Implementation Method 2
The bottle is retained by a 'discrete compression force' exerted by the inner wall against the outer wall of the bottle
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic self-adjusting beverage container receptacle has a plurality of handles for the end-user to stabilize the receptacle in operation. The receptacle contains a plurality of parallel polygons of flexible bands inside the receptacle that permit a caregiver to easily and quickly insert a beverage container. The bands also stabilize and grip the container in operation to prevent it from shifting or falling out when the receptacle is lifted and tilted by the end user in consuming the beverage. An accessory mounting system permits the rapid attachment of accessories in a temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent fashion, making each receptacle assembly customizable for individual users.