Pivoting Cup Cover for Single-Serve Rum Punch Preparation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drinking vessels are cumbersome and prone to contamination when preparing drinks with ingredients that need to be added immediately, such as the Feuerzangenbowle, as they require preparing larger quantities in advance, leading to a decrease in taste and aroma over time.

Innovation Solution

A drinking vessel with a receiving element that is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis, allowing it to move from covering the drinking opening to a position away from it, enabling preparation of smaller amounts immediately before consumption, with features like a latching mechanism and spring prestress for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cover is used for placing ingredients on the drinking vessel, then ingredients can be added, but handling becomes cumbersome and contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of ingredient handlingVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element is made pivotable about a pivot axis, allowing it to dynamically change position between covering the drinking opening (first position) and being away from it (second position). This dynamic design enables easy access for ingredient placement while maintaining coverage to prevent contamination when not in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element is divided into a receiving section for holding ingredients and an actuating section for operation. This segmentation allows the receiving element to function both as a protective cover and as an accessible platform for ingredient addition, reducing contamination risk while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If larger quantities of drink are prepared in advance, then more drinks are available, but taste and aroma decrease significantly over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrink quantityVSAvoidtaste and aroma quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element allows ingredients to be placed and prepared in advance on the receiving section, which is held in the first position covering the drinking opening. This preliminary action enables ingredients to be ready for immediate use while the drink is prepared in smaller quantities just before consumption, maintaining taste and aroma quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the receiving element is firmly connected to the pivoting element, then the receiving element is mounted firmly and only pivotable about the pivoting axis, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving element is firmly connected to a pivoting element mounted about a pivoting axis, creating a simple hinge mechanism that provides stable mounting while enabling controlled movement. This dynamic connection allows the receiving element to be firmly secured when covering the drinking opening while remaining easily pivotable for ingredient access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Facilitates simple preparation of smaller drink quantities just before consumption, maintaining flavor and aroma, while ensuring easy handling and minimizing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

a spring means acting between the drinking vessel and the receiving element is provided, which prestresses the receiving element in the direction of the first or second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the receiving element is automatically held in the first position by a latching means which in particular acts in a form-fitting manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP1829466B1Drinking receptacle
Publication Date: 2009.10.21 ALADIN MUSIC HALL GASTRONOMIE
  • EP1829466B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1829466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1829466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cup is of a cylindrical shape and has a lateral handle. A u-shaped element (10) is attached to the upper segment of the handle, exceeding the upper edge of the cup with two extensions (10a). A perforated and concave rectangular element (14) is swivel mounted to the extensions (10a) with a transversally positioned axle (12). The element (14) can be used for carrying a small burning sugar loaf when swung into a horizontal position suitable for the preparation of a single portion of rum punch.