Liquid container with a universal adapter and accessories therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers lack a convenient and efficient way to attach and detach various accessories such as phone holders, pill boxes, and wallets without increasing size and weight, and existing phone stands are cumbersome and require advance planning for use.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container with a universal adapter that allows easy attachment and removal of accessories like phone holders, pill boxes, and wallets, positioned to maintain balance and not obstruct the spout, using quick-connect mechanisms like slide-and-lock, twist-and-lock, or snap-and-lock designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are attached to liquid containers using conventional methods, then functionality is improved, but device complexity and attachment security worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal adapter system with standardized attachment interfaces (first attachment face on adapter, second attachment face on accessory) that enables multiple different accessories to be attached to the same liquid container. This universal interface design improves accessory functionality while maintaining consistent, simple attachment mechanisms across all accessory types, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If phone stands are made stable with larger bases or heavier weights, then stability is improved, but portability and convenience worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phone stand function with the liquid container by attaching the phone holder accessory directly to the container via the universal adapter. The liquid container itself serves as the stable base, eliminating the need for a separate heavy base structure. This combination maintains phone stand stability while significantly reducing overall weight and improving portability, as users already carry the liquid container anyway.
3Ease of operation
If multiple accessories are carried separately, then accessibility is improved, but convenience and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The universal adapter system enables multiple different accessories (phone holder, pill box, wallet, etc.) to be attached to a single liquid container, consolidating what would otherwise be separate carried items into one unified object. Users can quickly detach and attach different accessories as needed, maintaining full accessibility while reducing the number of separate items to carry and manage.
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid container includes universal adapters positioned on the container or components thereof and designed to releasably attach an accessory thereto. The universal adapter has a first attachment face cooperating with a second attachment face of the accessory to facilitate rapid attachment and removal of the accessory to the liquid container. All accessories have the same second attachment face, making them interchangeably compatible with the universal adapter. Examples of accessories include a phone holder, a pill box, a powder container with a funneled end, a money clip, and a wallet. Exemplary uses include holding the smartphone above the liquid container positioned in a car cupholder while driving to provide directions, following a video cooking directions in the kitchen, or another handsfree use in a car, at home, in a gym, or other locations where both good hydration and hand-free use of a smartphone are required.