Pivoting Carrier Elements for Stable Multi-Beverage Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage carriers for large cups are unstable when wet, environmentally unsustainable, bulky, and lack structural integrity, making them difficult to carry multiple drinks while being aesthetically unappealing and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A carrier system comprising pivotally movable carrier elements with holding apertures, made of recyclable plastic, allowing for multiple beverages to be securely held and easily transported in both open and closed positions, using a mounting member for rotation and stop mechanisms to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If disposable cardboard carriers are used to carry multiple beverages, then the quantity of beverages that can be carried increases, but the reliability and stability deteriorate when the carrier gets wet
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is divided into multiple separate carrier elements (typically 3-8 elements) that are pivotally connected rather than a single monolithic structure. Each element can be independently formed from water-resistant material, and the segmented design allows the carrier to flex and adapt while maintaining structural integrity when wet.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier elements are made from water-resistant materials such as plastics or treated materials that maintain their mechanical properties when exposed to moisture. This composite approach combines multiple materials or treated materials to achieve both the desired capacity and wet-weather reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If disposable carriers are used, then the ease of manufacture and initial cost are improved, but the environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed for multiple uses and can be cleaned and reused rather than discarded after a single use. The modular carrier elements can be separated, cleaned, and reassembled, extending the product lifecycle and reducing waste generation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If reusable carriers are used to improve environmental sustainability, then the sustainability improves, but the device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier employs pivotal connections between elements that allow dynamic movement between open and closed positions. This dynamic design enables the carrier to collapse into a compact form for easy storage and transport, reducing bulkiness while maintaining the reusable structure needed for sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier elements can be nested or stacked within each other when in the closed position, similar to nested dolls. This nesting capability significantly reduces the overall volume of the carrier when not in use, making it portable and easy to store despite having multiple components.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If reusable carriers are used, then the environmental sustainability improves, but the aesthetic appearance and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal connections enable smooth, easy opening and closing motions that are intuitive to operate. The dynamic structure allows the carrier to be quickly deployed and collapsed without complex mechanisms, maintaining ease of operation while enabling reuse for sustainability.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier able to carry beverages, the carrier comprising:a plurality of carrier elements, each carrier element pivotally movable with respect to an adjacent carrier element; andeach carrier element having at least one holding aperture able to hold at least one beverage.