3D Condiment Packet Cavity Holder for Spill-Free Upright Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-serving condiment packets lack a practical solution to remain upright after opening, leading to spilling and contamination, especially for fluid condiments and small solid particulates.
Innovation Solution
A holder with a three-dimensional cavity designed to support single-serving condiment packets upright, preventing the opening from touching the holder and minimizing the risk of spilling, featuring internal sidewalls that define an opening in fluid communication with the cavity, and optionally including a clip for versatile placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the condiment packet is placed horizontally to avoid standing alone, then the packet structure remains simple, but the condiment spills and the opening becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is segmented into distinct functional zones: a vertical wall portion for supporting the packet body, a horizontal base portion for stability, and a recessed cavity for receiving the packet opening. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The recessed cavity acts as an intermediary structure between the packet opening and the external environment. It provides a protected space that prevents the opening from touching contaminated surfaces while allowing the packet to remain in a stable upright position.
2Reliability
If a holder structure is created to keep the packet upright, then spilling and contamination are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure: the vertical wall provides support, the horizontal base provides stability, and the recessed cavity provides protection. This consolidation achieves reliable packet stabilization without requiring multiple separate components or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder geometry is optimized by adjusting key parameters: the vertical wall height is sufficient to support the packet upright, the horizontal base dimensions provide adequate stability, and the recessed cavity depth is sufficient to protect the opening. These parameter adjustments achieve reliable packet support with minimal structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the cavity is made large enough to easily receive the packet, then ease of operation improves, but the packet opening may touch the holder and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity exhibits local quality variation: the upper portion is sufficiently large and open to allow easy packet insertion, while the lower portion is recessed and constrained to prevent the opening from touching the holder. This localized differentiation of cavity characteristics simultaneously achieves ease of operation and contamination prevention.
Data Source
AI summary
A holder for a single-serving condiment packet that allows an opened packet to maintain an upright position without spilling its inner contents and also without having the opening of the open packet touch any part of the holder. The single-serving condiment packet holder has a thin three-dimensional cavity which is defined by one or more internal sidewalls. The holder may also have sidewalls, a base side, and a top side that is any geometric shape. A clip may be used to suspend the holder.