Nesting Measuring Cups With Rotating Stop Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nesting measuring cups lack the ability to easily switch between displaying English and metric measurements and do not allow for handles to be fixed in a predetermined fanned out position, limiting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A set of nesting measuring cups with handles that can be fanned out in one or two directions, featuring a stop mechanism that allows the cups to be fixed in a specific position, enabling easy switching between English and metric measurements by rotating the cups relative to each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If nesting measuring cups are designed with fixed alignment, then manufacturing is simple, but users cannot easily switch between English and metric measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cup alignment adjustable rather than fixed. The cups can be rotated relative to each other between aligned and fanned-out positions, allowing dynamic switching between measurement systems (English and metric) while maintaining a relatively simple structure through this single rotational degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measurement display into separate, rotatable cup units. Each cup can be independently positioned to display its measurement indicators, allowing the system to present different measurement systems (English on one cup, metric on another) by rotating the cups relative to each other.
2Ease of operation
If handles are kept aligned for compact nesting, then storage is efficient, but users cannot quickly determine which cup to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the handles to transition between a compact aligned position for storage and a fanned-out position for easy identification. The handles can be rotated to fan out in one or both directions, enabling users to quickly see which cup they need while maintaining compact nesting when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by moving the handle arrangement from a single-plane aligned configuration to a multi-dimensional fanned-out configuration. This allows handles to spread out in angular space, making each cup distinguishable while maintaining compact nesting when folded back into alignment.
3Loss of information
If multiple measurement types are displayed simultaneously, then information is complete, but the cup structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating different measurement systems onto different cup units. Each cup displays its measurement indicators (English or metric) on its handle, and users can rotate cups to access different measurement types. This distributes the information load across multiple simple units rather than requiring a single complex cup to display all measurements simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Nesting measuring cups include a first measuring cup having a measuring portion for measuring a first volume, a first handle provided on first measuring portion, and measuring cup includes upper and lower faces. A first pour spout on first measuring portion has two spaced apart end walls defining pour spout. A second measuring cup has a second measuring portion for measuring a second volume and a second handle. Second measuring volume is smaller than first measuring volume and nests inside it. A second pour spout is on second measuring portion, and a post is provided adjacent lower face of second measuring portion. Post is engageable with a stop on upper face of first measuring portion, so user may rotate second measuring cup relative to first measuring cup until post engages stop, stops rotation of first and second measuring cups relative to each other, and achieves fixed fanned out position.