Device and system for holding a drinking container and method of use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drinking containers lack a convenient and removable handle solution, making it difficult to easily carry and manage variously shaped containers without damaging the sleeve or the container itself.

Innovation Solution

A device with a handle that removably connects to a drinking container via a sleeve, utilizing a retainer and connector system that allows for secure engagement and disengagement, allowing the sleeve to be captively engaged around the container, providing a handle for user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a handle is permanently attached to the drinking container, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates because the handle cannot be removed or transferred to different containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of carryingVSAvoidadaptability to different containers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device is divided into separate components: a handle body, a retainer mechanism, and a connector. This segmentation allows the handle to be detached and reattached to different drinking containers, providing both ease of operation when attached and adaptability when detached or transferred to different containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the handle and drinking container is made dynamic through the retainer and connector system, which allows the handle to be easily attached and detached. This dynamic connection enables the handle to transition between fixed and movable states, resolving the contradiction between needing secure attachment for ease of operation and the ability to remove for adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a sleeve is tightly fitted around the drinking container, then the insulation performance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates because it becomes difficult to insert or remove the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation performanceVSAvoidease of insertion and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sleeve and the drinking container. It provides a controlled interface that maintains the tight fit of the sleeve for insulation while enabling easy insertion and removal through the connector system. The retainer mediates between the need for secure sleeve attachment and the need for container accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a removable connection system is added to the handle, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like retainers and connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremovability and transferabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer and connector functions are merged into a single integrated mechanism. The retainer body incorporates both the retention function (holding the container) and the connection function (allowing attachment/detachment). This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining adaptability, as the single integrated unit performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables easy handling and carrying of drinking containers by transforming handleless containers into handled ones, ensuring secure attachment and detachment without compromising the sleeve's fit or the container's integrity.

Implementation Method 1

the distal end of the retainer is resiliently movable away from the handle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10548424B1Device and system for holding a drinking container and method of use

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 AHLSTROM DANIEL DARREL

AI summary

A device for holding a drinking container removably attaches to the drinking container. The drinking container has an outside surface and cooperates with a sleeve which is disposed around the outside surface of the drinking container, the sleeve having an outside surface and an inside surface. The device includes a handle and a retainer. The retainer has a proximal end which is connected to the handle and an opposite distal end. The retainer is positionable between the outside surface of the drinking container and the inside surface of the sleeve. In one embodiment a connector is configured to removably connect the distal end of the retainer to the handle.