Portable Plate with Adjustable Hand Strap and Locking Cup Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for holding plates, cups, and silverware at gatherings fail to provide stable, adjustable support, often leading to spills or instability when users are standing or walking, as they lack effective adjustable straps and secure cup attachments.
Innovation Solution
A portable plate and cup combination featuring an adjustable hand strap hidden in a closable compartment, a locking cup attachment receptor, and a novel cup with stowable straw and lid, allowing secure one-handed use while preventing spills, with the option to attach utensils for added convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an adjustable hand strap is added to the plate, then the plate can be held stably with one hand while walking or standing, but the plate cannot sit flat on a table
Solution Approach 1:
The hand strap is extracted from the main plate body and placed inside a removable compartment. When the compartment is closed, the strap is concealed and the plate sits flat on tables. When the compartment is opened, the strap can be extended to provide stable one-handed holding support.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand strap transitions from a stored state inside the compartment to an extended functional state when needed. The compartment itself transitions between closed (flat profile) and open (accessible strap) positions, allowing the plate to adapt between table placement and portable holding modes.
2Reliability
If a locking cup attachment mechanism is added to the plate, then cups can be securely held in place, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup holder is integrated directly into the plate structure with locking features built into the attachment mechanism. The compartment cover that provides the flat profile also serves as part of the cup holder assembly, merging multiple functions into a unified structure that secures cups without adding separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the flat profile when closed, acts as a structural element of the plate, and functions as a secure cup holder when cups are attached. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Ease of operation
If a compartment cover is added to hide the strap, then the plate can sit flat on a table, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compartment cover is merged with the cup holder attachment mechanism, so that the same structural element provides both the flat profile for table placement and the cup holding functionality. This integration means the cover serves multiple purposes rather than being a separate added component.
Solution Approach 2:
The compartment cover provides multiple functions: it conceals the hand strap to enable flat table placement, structures the compartment opening for cup holder attachment, and potentially serves as part of the cup securing mechanism. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural element.
4Reliability
If an adjustable spring tensioned tray is added to grip surfaces, then the plate can be held stably in car or on lap, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into adjustable segments or sections that can be independently positioned. The spring tension mechanism applies force to these segmented parts, allowing them to grip surfaces at different positions and angles, providing stable attachment to car consoles or laps while maintaining adjustability.
Data Source
AI summary
A novel portable plate, cup and silverware device that improves portability, usability and stability is disclosed. The present invention includes a plate of the type used for food at meals, gatherings, parties and the such. The plate includes an adjustable strap, hidden in a compartment under an openable and closeable cover on the underside of the plate, to provide stability while a user holds the plate. The plate also includes a cup holder on the top of the plate, a cup with an internal straw and a lid, as well as comfort grip utensils that can be attached and detached from the rim of the plate. The device can be manufactured from multiple reusable, disposable or recyclable materials. This embodiment of the invention also includes an adjustable tray for attachment to various fixed surfaces and a notched cup for easy stacking of multiple cups.