Beverage Holder Structure for Stable Multi-Surface Spill Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage container holders fail to provide stable support for multiple container forms on various surfaces, including horizontal and vertical locations, while also preventing spilling and accommodating digital music players and personal item storage.
Innovation Solution
A multifunction beverage container holder using slender elongated shafts to minimize contact with the support surface, combined with deployable stemmed beverage container support arms and elastomeric damping to stabilize containers, allowing use on multiple surfaces and incorporating digital music playback and personal item storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If large contact surfaces are used between the beverage container holder and the support surface, then the holder can be placed on various surfaces including unstable ones, but the likelihood of liquid spilling increases due to large forces being transmitted to the beverage container
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into multiple contact points rather than a single large contact surface. The base includes several discrete contact elements that distribute the holder's weight while minimizing the total contact area with the support surface, thereby reducing force transmission to the beverage container while maintaining placement versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surfaces are made locally small and distributed, while the internal structure provides local support and cushioning. The holder uses localized cushioning elements at contact points rather than a large continuous contact surface, achieving both adaptability to various surfaces and reduced spilling forces
2Adaptability or versatility
If the beverage container holder is designed to support multiple container forms including stemmed and non-stemmed containers, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with a universal cradle structure that can accommodate both stemmed and non-stemmed beverage containers. The cradle includes adjustable support surfaces and cushioning elements that adapt to different container shapes and sizes, allowing a single device to serve multiple functions without requiring separate holders for different container types
Solution Approach 2:
The holder incorporates flexible and adjustable support elements that can dynamically adapt to different container configurations. The cushioning elements and support arms can move and adjust their position to properly support various container forms, providing versatility through dynamic adaptation rather than fixed complex structures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the holder is designed to function in both horizontal and vertical locations, then adaptability is improved, but stability and spilling prevention become more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with dynamic support mechanisms that can adapt to different orientations. The support arms and cushioning elements can reposition themselves based on whether the holder is mounted horizontally or vertically, maintaining stability in both configurations through active adaptation rather than requiring separate designs for each orientation
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 holder effectively prevents spilling by reducing contact area with the surface, stabilizes containers in multiple orientations, and integrates digital music playback and storage features, enhancing usability across different environments.
Implementation Method 1
elastomeric beverage spilling forces damping
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including one or more beverage container receptacles for holding a beverage container in the upright position in multiple convenient and possibly unstable locations is described. Slender legs separate the beverage container receptacles from direct contact with the mounting or bearing surfaces and serve to damp spilling forces transmitted from these surfaces when the apparatus is placed in various horizontal or vertical orientations such as vertically between couch cushions; or horizontally between a bed mattress and box spring; or on a picnic blanket. Multiple stemmed and non-stemmed beverage container types such as wine glasses, coffee cups, large soda cups are simultaneously held. Additional storage space for personal effects such as digital electronic devices, remote controls or reading glasses is included. One embodiment of the invention includes speakers, amplifying electronics and batteries for playing digital music from a users digital electronic device.