Multi-Function Fastening Element for Beverage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for handling ingredient containers, such as tea or coffee, lack a versatile fastening element that can enable carrying, stirring, and squeezing across various container shapes and sizes, including those with glass lids, without requiring additional accessories.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element in the form of an elongate flat stick with a bottom attachment section for containers, designed to transition between horizontal and vertical positions, allowing for stirring and squeezing, and compatible with a specially shaped plastic lid for beverage preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate lid and separate container handling tool are used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the lid and container handling tool into a single integrated fastening element. The U-shaped configuration allows one end to engage the lid while the other end engages the container, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening element is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a lid securer and a container holder/handler. The U-shaped structure with engagement features at both ends enables it to securely attach to different components (lid and container) and facilitate various operations including carrying, stirring, and squeezing.
2Ease of operation
If the fastening element is designed for multiple operations (carrying, stirring, squeezing), then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is designed as a multi-functional tool that can carry the container, stir the beverage, and squeeze the container to extract remaining liquid. This integration of multiple functions into a single device improves ease of operation by eliminating the need for multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple operational functions (carrying, stirring, squeezing) into a single fastening element structure. The U-shaped design with appropriate engagement features allows the same device to perform all these operations, simplifying the user experience.
3Ease of manufacture
If the fastening element structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different container shapes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is divided into distinct functional segments: the U-shaped body, the lid engagement feature at one end, and the container engagement feature at the other end. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural simplicity for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the fastening element have specialized local features tailored to their specific functions. The lid engagement end has features optimized for securing to the lid, while the container engagement end has features adapted for holding various container shapes, allowing the overall simple structure to achieve high adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A technical problem solved by the invention is a constructional solution to a fastening element that must enable carrying, stirring and squeezing various ingredients, like tea, coffee, condiments and the like. The essence of the fastening element (5) for handling an ingredient container (4) of the invention lies in that the constructional shape of the fastening element enables carrying, stirring and squeezing various containers independently or in a combination with a lid (10) for a glass, wherein the containers may contain tea, coffee, condiments and similar ingredients. The fastening element has a form of an elongate flat stick (2) provided in its bottom part by a fastening section (3) for attaching the container (4). Combined with a specially shaped plastic lid (10) with a system for attachment, which is attached to a cup (6) containing liquid, the container is suited for a preparation of either a cold or a hot beverage, wherein the fastening element allows a simple displacement from a horizontal into a vertical position as well as stirring and squeezing the container's content.