Cup rack for stacked disposable cups
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cup holders in the food service industry are difficult to clean, provide inadequate stability, and are often costly, making them unsuitable for customer use and prone to sanitary issues when spills occur.
Innovation Solution
A cup rack design featuring a base with a cup retainer plate and apertures that securely hold disposable cups in place, allowing for easy cleaning and stability, with a mechanism that allows cups to be stacked and supported by interference/press fit, and optionally includes a rotating design and electronic display integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring loaded cup holders are recessed into cabinetry, then cups can be quickly obtained for service, but they are difficult to clean and spills will soil the entire contents requiring emptying for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is divided into individual cup slots that are separated and accessible, allowing cleaning of individual areas without emptying the entire holder. Each cup rests in its own designated space within the recessed cavity, enabling targeted cleaning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder employs a spring-loaded mechanism that dynamically adjusts to accommodate cups of varying sizes and allows for easy insertion and removal. The springs provide automatic cushioning and release, making cup access quick and effortless while maintaining cleanability.
2Ease of operation
If stacks of cups are simply left out on an open table, then they are easily accessible, but they are prone to being moved, upset or toppled and pose sanitary problems
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder features an asymmetric recessed cavity design with specific geometric constraints that accommodate cups in a stable configuration. The irregular shape of the cavity prevents cups from being easily moved or toppled while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism provides preliminary cushioning and restraint forces that prevent cups from being accidentally moved or upset. The springs are pre-loaded to exert a gentle holding force on cups, counteracting external disturbances before they can cause toppling.
3Ease of operation
If spring loaded cup holders are recessed into cabinetry, then cups can be quickly obtained for service, but they take up a great deal of space and are costly and require professional installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder design allows cups to be nested within the recessed cavity when not in use, maximizing space utilization. Multiple cups can be stored in a compact arrangement within the cabinetry recess, reducing the overall space footprint while maintaining quick access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup holder transitions from a surface-mounted configuration to a recessed three-dimensional cavity within the cabinetry. This vertical integration into the cabinetry structure eliminates the need for protruding mechanisms and reduces the horizontal space occupied on the countertop surface.
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 rack provides a stable, easy-to-clean solution for stacking disposable cups, reducing the risk of spills and sanitary issues, while being cost-effective and easy to install, with options for customization and integration of electronic displays.
Implementation Method 1
a cup rack comprising: a base providing a surface for abutting support for a plurality of cups; a cup retainer plate coupled to the base; a plurality of cup retaining apertures formed within the cup retainer plate, each cup retaining aperture sized to receive a corresponding cup
Data Source
AI summary
A cup stacking and holding assembly is disclosed with methods of application in standard use and with internal electronics for visual displays. The cup holder assembly may be manufactured in various configurations, all providing a cup rack for convenient and stable stacking of disposable cups. The cup rack may comprise: a base providing a surface for abutting support for a plurality of cups; a cup retainer plate coupled to the base; a plurality of cup retaining apertures formed within the cup retainer plate, each cup retaining aperture sized to receive a corresponding cup and having a diameter smaller than the largest exterior diameter of the corresponding cup; the cup retainer plate moveable from a first closed position parallel and proximal to the surface for abutting support to a second open position for insertion of cups within the cup retaining apertures.