Folded Cup Holder Structure for Bubble Tea Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for packaging beverages that mix liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that mix liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that mix liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that mix liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that mix liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that combine liquids like bubble tea are inefficient in packaging beverages that combine liquids like bubble tea are ineffective in maintaining the integrity of mixed ingredients during transport.
Innovation Solution
A flexible holder made from a foldable sheet, such as cardboard, securely holds a beverage cup and an additive container together without adhesives, using coupling rings and locking elements to prevent separation and damage, allowing easy mixing at consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If two separate containers are glued together, then the containers are securely held together, but chemical products are used near food items and containers may be damaged when separating them
Solution Approach 1:
A cardboard holder acts as an intermediary element between the beverage cup and additive container, mechanically connecting them without adhesives. The holder features coupling rings that fit onto the containers and locking elements that secure them together, providing a chemical-free connection method that allows easy separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (glue/adhesive) with a mechanical bonding system consisting of coupling rings, locking elements, and a holder structure. This mechanical system provides secure holding while allowing clean separation without chemical residue or container damage.
2Reliability
If containers are placed in a box, then they are protected and held together, but manufacturing costs increase and shelf space is significantly occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The holder integrates multiple functions into a single structure: it holds both the beverage cup and additive container, provides structural support, and enables easy separation. This merged structure eliminates the need for separate boxes while maintaining protection and organization, reducing both complexity and shelf space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder serves multiple purposes: it acts as a carrier for both containers, provides structural support during transport, facilitates easy separation at consumption, and maintains product visibility. This multi-functional design replaces the need for additional protective packaging elements.
3Reliability
If a holder structure is designed to securely hold containers, then separation and damage are prevented, but the structure may become complex and costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is constructed from a flexible cardboard sheet that is folded and shaped to form the holding structure. This thin-film approach provides sufficient structural support while remaining simple to manufacture from standard cardboard materials, avoiding complex rigid structures or multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a folded sheet structure with distinct functional zones: a top portion with a circular opening for the additive container, side portions with semi-circular openings for coupling rings, and bottom portions with locking elements. This segmented design provides targeted functionality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity from a single sheet.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A holder (1) designed to accommodate a beverage cup (A) and an additive container (B), for instance a tea beverage and an additive consisting of bubbles to produce bubble tea; built out of a flexible sheet that comprises a top portion (2), a first side portion (4), a second side portion (7) adjacent to a first locking element (9) and a bottom portion (10) adjacent to a second locking element (11). The top portion (2) has a circular opening (3) with same diameter as the additive container (B). The first and second side portions (4, 7) have respective semicircular openings (5, 8) configured to couple with outer coupling rings (A.1, B.1) located in the beverage cup (A) and the additive container (B). The sheet is folded and locked around the beverage cup (A) and additive container (B), the resulting holder (1) holding both items securely, optimizing the package for take-away sale.