Collapsible Cup with Helicoidal Ridge Compression for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current collapsible drinking cups are bulky and inconvenient for storage and use, even when empty, due to their size and limited capacity, and existing solutions do not adequately address the need for a compact, reusable, and environmentally friendly option.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible cup design featuring a tubular body with helicoidal ridge formations and a rigid floor, reinforced by a metal ring, allowing for axial compression and compact storage, with a fluid-tight cap and mushroom-shaped bottom for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cup is made collapsible to reduce storage size, then the storage volume is reduced, but the structural strength and stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cup body is divided into multiple segments by helicoidal ridge formations that create grooves. These segmented structures allow the cup to collapse compactly while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed ridge formations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup combines a rigid floor at the bottom with a more flexible tubular body. This composite structure provides stability and strength where needed (floor) while allowing collapsibility in the body portion for compact storage.
2Volume of moving object
If the cup is made collapsible to reduce storage size, then the storage volume is reduced, but the cup stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid floor made of thicker material provides a stable base when the cup is in use, while the flexible body allows compact collapse for storage. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between stability during use and compactness for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup transitions between two stable states: an expanded usable state with good stability during drinking, and a collapsed storage state with reduced volume. The dynamic structure adapts its properties based on the operational state.
3Ease of operation
If the cup uses elastically deformable material for collapsibility, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cup utilizes elastic deformation properties of the synthetic resin material, changing the physical state parameter from rigid to elastically deformable. This allows easy collapse and expansion operations while the material's inherent elasticity maintains sufficient dimensional precision for functional requirements.
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 cup can be significantly reduced in size for storage and transport, maintaining stability and fluid-tightness, making it suitable for camping and everyday use, while easily expanding for use.
Implementation Method 1
The body and ridges are formed of an elastically deformable synthetic resin such opposite angular twisting of the upper and lower ends axially compresses together the upper and lower ends and moves the upper end down close to the lower end.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible cup has a tubular body having an upper end and a lower end, centered on an axis, and formed with a plurality of helicoidal ridge formations spaced angularly around the tubular body and each extending between the ends of the body. A floor of greater rigidity than the body closes the lower end of the body. A ring reinforces the upper end of the body. The body and ridges are formed of an elastically deformable synthetic resin such opposite angular twisting of the upper and lower ends axially compresses together the upper and lower ends and moves upper end down close to the lower end.