Cup Lid Holder Structure for Contamination-Free Ingredient Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customers face contamination risks when adding ingredients to drinks from paper or cardboard cups with removable lids, as the lids must be placed on surfaces that may harbor bacteria, potentially transferring bacteria back to the customer.
Innovation Solution
A holder with an extension portion that secures to the lid and a curved cup engagement portion allows the lid to be removed and securely attached to the cup, keeping it out of the way for adding ingredients while reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is removed from the cup to add ingredients, then the customer can access the drink to add ingredients, but the lid must be placed on a counter surface that may be contaminated with bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lid holder as an intermediary device between the lid and the counter surface. The holder has a cup engagement portion that attaches to the cup and an extension portion that supports the lid, creating a mediator that prevents direct contact between the lid and potentially contaminated surfaces while still allowing the lid to be removed from the cup for ingredient addition.
2Ease of operation
If the lid is placed on the counter surface, then it is out of the way for adding ingredients, but it comes into contact with bacteria on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The lid holder serves as a mediator structure with a cup engagement portion attached to the cup and an extension portion that elevates the lid above the counter surface. This intermediary device allows the lid to be positioned out of the way for ingredient addition while maintaining separation from contaminated surfaces through the holder's structural intermediary function.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid remains on the cup, then it is protected from contamination, but it blocks access to the drink for adding ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The lid holder acts as a mediator that enables the lid to be removed from the cup opening, allowing unobstructed access for adding ingredients. The holder's extension portion positions the lid separately while the cup engagement portion maintains association with the cup, thus resolving the conflict between protection and accessibility through spatial mediation.
Data Source
AI summary
A holder for supporting a lid on an outside of a cup is disclosed. The holder includes an extension portion adapted to secure to the lid and a curved cup engagement portion extending from the extension portion. The holder can be integrated onto a lid. A method for securing the lid to a cup is also provided.