Mating dishware having an improved drain system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food and beverage retaining assemblies either reduce the available space for food, fail to securely hold beverage holders with varying diameters or shapes, or provide unstable combinations, making it difficult to manage both in one hand without spilling.
Innovation Solution
A food and beverage retaining assembly featuring a serving plate mechanically interlocked with a baseless, stemmed beverage receptacle using a securement fitting assembly, allowing the beverage receptacle to be removably and replaceably attached, ensuring stability and compatibility with various beverage holder shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a beverage holder receiving structure (annular wall) is provided on the plate to stabilize the beverage holder, then the stability of the beverage holder is improved, but the area available on the plate for food is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The beverage holder is nested within a recess in the plate, with the rim of the beverage holder fitting into the recess. This nesting arrangement stabilizes the beverage holder while minimizing the space occupied on the plate surface, as the beverage holder is contained within the plate's profile rather than extending outward.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a two-dimensional surface occupation problem to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. By creating a recess that extends downward from the plate surface and having the beverage holder fit into this vertical space, the design stabilizes the beverage holder without sacrificing horizontal food preparation area.
2Ease of operation
If the beverage holder is not secured to the plate, then the ease of removal and replacement is improved, but the stability during use is reduced requiring continuous balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The recess provides a dynamic solution where the beverage holder can be easily inserted and removed by vertical motion, yet when in place, the geometry of the recess and rim interaction provides passive mechanical stability. The system transitions between easy insertion/removal and stable holding without requiring active securing mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A mating food and beverage retaining assembly comprising a serving plate having a collar that has one or more tabs protruding inwardly from the collar and a sloped apron disposed at least partially inside a perimeter defined by the collar. The sloped apron comprises one or more apertures. The serving plate mates with a beverage receptacle having a beverage retaining portion, a stem, and a base having one or more recesses for mating with the one or more tabs. The beverage receptacle is releasably joined to the serving plate by mating the one or more tabs with the one or more recesses. The apertures promote drainage of fluids collecting inside the collar.