Bottle Accessory with Drip Catcher and Grip for Serving Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices and methods for serving beverages from bottles face challenges such as difficulty in holding or manipulating the bottles and liquid dripping down the sides during or after serving.

Innovation Solution

A bottle accessory with a thermoplastic or thermoset body featuring a cylindrical portion, tapered portion, and an absorbent ring, designed to fit snugly around the bottle neck, which includes a drip catcher and grip features to stabilize the bottle and collect dripping liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional bottles are used for serving beverages, then the bottle structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the bottle is difficult to hold or manipulate while serving and liquid drips down the side of the bottle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of holding and manipulating bottleVSAvoidbottle accessory structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary accessory device that couples to the bottle to provide enhanced handling capabilities and drip prevention. The accessory includes a body with a first portion that couples to the bottle and a second portion that extends from the first portion, serving as a mediator between the user and the bottle to improve grip and control without modifying the bottle itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory body is segmented into multiple functional portions: a first portion for coupling to the bottle and a second portion extending therefrom for drip catching and handling. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional bottles are used for serving beverages, then the bottle design remains simple, but liquid drips down the side of the bottle during or after serving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drippingVSAvoidbottle accessory structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory acts as an intermediary device that intercepts liquid before it can drip down the bottle. The body of the accessory is positioned to catch drips at their source, preventing them from reaching the bottle surface and creating a mess.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory transforms the harmful dripping effect into a beneficial containment function. By positioning the accessory body to extend from the bottle, it converts the potential harm of dripping liquid into a controlled collection point, where liquid is caught and contained within the accessory structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If a bottle accessory is added to improve handling and prevent dripping, then ease of operation improves, but the accessory must be made of specific materials like thermoplastic or thermoset

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handling bottleVSAvoidmaterial selection constraints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies particular material parameters (thermoplastic or thermoset) to achieve the desired balance of flexibility, durability, and manufacturability. These material parameter selections enable the accessory to be formed through injection molding while providing the necessary mechanical properties for effective bottle handling and drip prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory body is designed as a flexible structure that can conform to the bottle shape and provide a secure grip. The use of thermoplastic or thermoset materials allows the body to exhibit appropriate flexibility and elastic recovery, enabling it to adapt to different bottle shapes and sizes while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 accessory effectively prevents liquid from dripping and provides stable handling of bottles during serving, enhancing user convenience and cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

an absorbent ring disposed within the well

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12391433B2Beverage accessory and method of using same

Publication Date: 2025.08.19 GASPAR PAUL

AI summary

A bottle accessory includes a thermoplastic or thermoset body including a circumferentially continuous collar configured and arranged to sit about a neck of a bottle, and a flared end configured and arranged to extend down one side of the bottle, the flared end including at least one feature forming a grip portion.