Container for holding drinks containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for recycling drinking vessels like mugs and glasses face challenges in efficient reuse due to lack of facilities, hygiene concerns, and logistical issues, especially in street sales, where consumers often fail to return them to designated points for recycling or cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring an annular base with a central elevation allows drinking vessels to be securely placed with their open end reversed, forming a cavity for beverage bottle necks, enabling easy transfer and processing in washing facilities, while minimizing logistical effort and ensuring liquid containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If drinking vessels are disposed of separately from beverage bottles, then disposal simplicity is improved, but recycling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The container merges the function of holding beverage bottles with holding drinking vessels into a single integrated structure. The annular base with central protrusion simultaneously accommodates the bottle neck and supports the drinking vessel, enabling both items to be returned together to recycling points, thus improving recycling efficiency while maintaining disposal simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple functions: it acts as a bottle holder, a drinking vessel holder, and a liquid containment system. This multi-functionality allows the same structure to handle both beverage bottles and drinking vessels in the recycling process, improving overall recycling efficiency without complicating the disposal process for users
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reusable cups are introduced, then environmental friendliness is improved, but logistical effort worsens
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the return transport of drinking vessels with the existing beverage bottle return system, the invention leverages established logistics infrastructure. The container allows both items to be transported together in bottle crates to collection points, avoiding the need for separate collection systems and reducing overall logistical effort
Solution Approach 2:
The container acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between drinking vessel return and beverage bottle return systems. By using the same collection points and transport method (bottle crates) for both, it simplifies the logistical framework needed to support reusable cup systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If drinking vessels are placed in container with annular base, then liquid containment is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into functional zones: the annular base for liquid containment, the central protrusion for bottle neck insertion, and the circumferential wall area for supporting drinking vessels. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding complex lids or covers to prevent liquid spillage, the invention inverts the approach by using the annular base configuration itself to contain liquids. The trough-shaped space formed by the annular base and central protrusion naturally collects and contains liquid at the bottom, eliminating the need for additional complex containment mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container (1) for receiving a drinking vessel, in particular a cup or drinking glass (4), with an annular base having a central projection (2) onto which the drinking vessel can be placed with its open end in the reverse direction, wherein the projection (2) is open on the underside and forms a cavity into which the neck of a beverage bottle (5) can engage. According to the invention, the base includes a circumferential wall section (3) to form an annular space between the wall section (3), the base, and the projection (2), into which the opening rim of the drinking vessel can enter when placed onto the central projection (2). (Fig. 1)