Beverage holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional beverage holders for refrigerators often fail to efficiently utilize space by not providing a practical and accessible way to store both bottles and cans, leading to clutter and reduced visibility within the refrigerator compartment.

Innovation Solution

A beverage holder with a platform and rails that mounts to the refrigerator's surface, featuring slots and L-shaped rails to securely hold bottles and cans in aligned rows, optimizing space and accessibility by using polymeric materials for a unitary structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional beverage holders are used, then bottles and cans can be stored, but space utilization is inefficient and visibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidvisibility and accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage holder transitions from traditional horizontal shelf storage to vertical wall-mounted storage, utilizing the vertical dimension of the refrigerator interior. This dimensional change maximizes space utilization by converting unused vertical wall space into functional storage area, while simultaneously improving visibility and accessibility through front-facing arrangement of bottles and cans in aligned rows

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple bottles and cans are stored together, then storage capacity increases, but clutter increases and accessibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage holder divides the storage space into distinct compartments using vertical partitions and horizontal platforms. Bottles are stored in dedicated bottle receptacles while cans are stored in separate can receptacles, with each compartment further divided into multiple levels. This segmentation maintains high storage capacity while preventing clutter and enabling easy access to individual items without moving others

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a unitary structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different bottle and can sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaccommodation of different sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The beverage holder is designed as a unitary polymeric structure that serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, creates compartmentalization, enables mounting to the refrigerator wall, and accommodates various bottle and can sizes through adjustable features. The universal design allows the same structure to hold different types of beverages by utilizing removable caps and adjustable platform positions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10842265B2Beverage holder

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A beverage holder includes a platform with a slot disposed therethrough. First and second L-shaped rails extend downwardly from an underside of the platform on either side of the slot. The first and second rails are configured to retain cans, at upper portions of the cans, in a sliding manner therebetween. The slot is centrally positioned between the first and second L-shaped rails and configured to suspend bottle top portions therefrom.