Elastomeric holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toiletry holders, mirrors, and make-up holders are not suitable for repeated installation and removal, are complex to manufacture, and difficult to clean, especially when exposed to water, due to the use of adhesives and suction cups which can damage surfaces and accumulate dirt.
Innovation Solution
Elastomeric holders with a glossy rear surface for adhesive-free attachment to vertical surfaces, featuring a peripheral edge for secure adhesion without adhesives or suction cups, and a matte front surface for easy cleaning, made from silicone rubber for durability and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suction cups are used for temporary installation, then the holder can be removed without damaging the surface, but the suction cup is prone to breakage and cannot withstand repeated installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the attachment mechanism by using an elastomeric material with specific durometer (20-40 Shore A) that provides both flexibility for repeated installation/removal and structural integrity for durability. The elastomeric body deforms elastically during attachment and detachment, allowing thousands of cycles without breakage, unlike rigid suction cups that crack under repeated stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material properties by combining the elastomeric adhesive body with an integrated retainer structure. The elastomeric material itself serves dual functions: as the attachment mechanism (replacing separate suction cups) and as the structural body housing the retainer. This integration eliminates weak interfaces where breakage typically occurs in multi-component suction cup assemblies.
2Stability of the object's composition
If permanently installed holders with adhesives are used, then the holder remains stable, but the adhesive damages the surface and cannot be removed
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric holder is designed as a temporary, removable attachment that can be removed and reinstalled multiple times without degrading the surface. While not literally disposable after one use, the holder embodies the principle of temporary attachment that can be discarded or relocated at will, unlike permanent adhesives that cause irreversible surface damage. The elastomeric material maintains its bonding properties through thousands of removal/reinstallation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of traditional adhesives with a mechanical elastomeric bonding system. The elastomeric body creates attachment through elastic deformation and friction against the surface, rather than chemical adhesion. This mechanical approach allows for clean removal without leaving residue or damaging the surface, while maintaining stable attachment during use.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate holder portion and suction cup portion are manufactured and assembled, then manufacturing flexibility is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holder body and attachment mechanism into a single monolithic elastomeric component. The retainer structure is formed integrally within the elastomeric body through molding, eliminating the need for separate suction cup components and assembly operations. This single-piece construction simplifies manufacturing to one molding process while reducing part count and assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural housing for the retainer, acts as the attachment mechanism to vertical surfaces, and forms the peripheral edge for sealing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components that would otherwise be required to perform these distinct functions, simplifying both manufacturing and design.
4Strength
If traditional holders with joins are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but dirt and grime accumulate at joins making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the holder body and retainer into a single seamless elastomeric structure without joins, seams, or interfaces where dirt could accumulate. The integral construction eliminates crevices between separate components, allowing water and cleaning agents to flow freely over the entire surface without trapping grime in joints or gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material forms a flexible, seamless shell that encapsulates the retainer structure. This flexible monolithic structure eliminates rigid joins and interfaces that trap dirt, while the smooth elastomeric surface allows easy rinsing and cleaning. The material's flexibility also allows the holder to conform slightly to surfaces, improving sealing without creating gaps.
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 elastomeric holders provide a secure, reusable, and easy-to-clean solution for toiletry items and mirrors, preventing surface damage and grime accumulation, suitable for bathroom environments and temporary installations.
Implementation Method 1
a body, having a substantially planar rear surface, configured to releasably adhere to a vertical surface without the use of adhesives
Data Source
AI summary
Elastomeric holders in the form of toiletry holders, mirrors holders, shower caddies and make-up holders are provided. The holders comprise a body, having a substantially planar rear surface, configured to releasably adhere to a vertical surface without the use of adhesives, and a retainer, for retaining an item and formed at least in part by the body, such that a front surface of the body forms a peripheral edge around the retainer.