Medicine Cup Finger Ring Attachment for Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medicine cups are difficult for some individuals, including those with disabilities or young children, to grip or hold, making it challenging to administer medicine orally.
Innovation Solution
A medicine cup design featuring a ring attachment that fits around a user's finger, allowing easier handling and administration, with options for removability, varied materials, and additional features like gradations for measurement and infection control benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional medicine cup design is used, then the cup structure is simple, but it is difficult for users with disabilities or young children to grip or hold
Solution Approach 1:
The medicine cup is divided into separate components: a cup body and a finger ring attachment. This segmentation allows the cup to maintain a simple basic structure while adding the functional ring component that improves gripability for users with disabilities or young children.
Solution Approach 2:
A finger ring acts as an intermediary element between the user's finger and the cup body. The ring provides an extended gripping surface that mediates the interaction, making it easier for users with limited hand strength or dexterity to hold and control the cup.
2Ease of operation
If a ring attachment is added to the medicine cup, then ease of holding is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring attachment is designed to be removable and reattachable, providing dynamic adaptability. Users can remove the ring for cleaning or storage and reattach it when needed, allowing the device complexity to be adjusted based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger ring serves multiple functions: it provides grip enhancement, acts as a measurement reference when combined with cup gradations, and can be removed for cleaning or storage. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single component.
3Ease of manufacture
If the ring attachment is made removable, then ease of cleaning and storage is improved, but reliability of attachment may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is designed with preliminary engagement features that ensure reliable connection before use. The ring includes structural elements that pre-position and secure the attachment to the cup, maintaining reliability while allowing removable functionality for cleaning and storage.
4Measurement precision
If gradations are added to the cup side, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement gradations are applied as surface markings or printed indicators on the cup rather than being molded into the cup structure itself. This copying approach provides precise measurement references without requiring complex manufacturing processes, maintaining ease of production while achieving accurate dosing measurements.
Data Source
AI summary
A medicine cup apparatus that includes a cup having a side wall, bottom panel, open top, and an interior for holding a selected medicine. A ring is affixed to the cup that can fit around a user's finger, allowing the user to more easily hold the medicine cup and administer medicine orally. The ring is affixed to the cup bottom panel permanently or removably.