Portable condiment holder system and device for use in a vehicle
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective solutions for securely holding condiment containers in vehicles, leading to difficulties in preventing spillage during consumption.
Innovation Solution
A portable condiment holder system featuring a basket-like container holder and a bendable holder arm that fits between a vehicle's door casing and windowpane, allowing for stable and convenient placement of condiment containers, with optional length adjustment and accessory features like a lid and additional storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If condiment containers are held in vehicle cup holders, then they can be easily accessed, but cup holders are not designed to securely hold condiment containers leading to spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a condiment holder as an intermediary device between the cup holder and the condiment container. The holder has a U-shaped body that receives the condiment container and fits into the cup holder, providing the necessary support and stability while maintaining easy accessibility. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by adapting the cup holder's generic design to specifically accommodate condiment containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The condiment holder features a U-shaped body with specific local qualities - the open top allows easy access to the condiment container, while the curved sides provide secure containment. The holder's geometry is specifically tailored to match the typical dimensions and shape of condiment containers, creating a localized solution that addresses both accessibility and stability requirements.
2Reliability
If a secure condiment holder is designed, then spillage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condiment holder system is segmented into distinct functional parts: the U-shaped holder body, the lid with hinge connection, and the attachment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the U-shaped body provides containment, the lid provides closure, and the attachment mechanism provides mounting - thereby achieving reliability without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex active mechanism to secure the condiment container, the invention uses a passive geometric approach - the U-shaped body's curvature naturally conforms to and secures the container through its shape alone. This inverted approach, relying on form rather than active mechanisms, achieves stability while minimizing structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the holder accommodates various container shapes and sizes, then versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped holder body is designed with universal dimensions and geometry that can accommodate multiple types and sizes of condiment containers. The open top and curved sides create a generic receiving structure that adapts to various container shapes without requiring precision customization for each container type, thereby achieving versatility with moderate manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable condiment holder system, includes a portable condiment holder device with a container holder, a length-adjustable holder arm with a downward bent outer end, and optionally a lid; and a condiment container with a condiment, such that the outer part of the holder arm can be attached to a gap between an inner door casing and a windowpane of a door of a vehicle, such that the condiment container is stably positioned with convenient access to the condiment. Optionally, an accessory can be attached to the container holder.