Rotating Drinkware Rimmer Layout for Clean Multi-Spice Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rimmers designed for salt and sugar are inadequate for handling and preserving expensive spice preparations, leading to issues with cross-contamination, moisture contamination, and inefficient space utilization, which compromises the quality and variety of beverage rimming experiences.

Innovation Solution

A modular apparatus with rotating trays and separate compartments for multiple spice selections, a wetting reservoir, and a suspension material, allowing for easy access, cleaning, and replenishment of spices, while preventing cross-contamination and optimizing space usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional rimmers are used for salt and sugar, then the device structure is simple and inexpensive, but cross-contamination occurs and Spice quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpice qualityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rimmer device is divided into separate compartments for different Spices, with each compartment isolated from others. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that can accommodate multiple Spice types without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wetting agent reservoir is extracted and separated from the Spice compartments, creating a distinct wetting area. This extraction prevents moisture contamination of Spices while allowing the device to handle multiple Spice types reliably, as each Spice remains isolated in its own compartment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If multiple Spice selections are accommodated in separate containers, then cross-contamination is prevented, but space utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpice preservationVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple Spice compartments and the wetting agent reservoir are merged into a single integrated rimmer device. This combining allows multiple Spice selections to be accommodated in one compact unit, preventing cross-contamination while optimizing space utilization compared to using separate containers for each Spice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Spice compartments are arranged in a nested or compact configuration within the rimmer device, with compartments potentially stacked or positioned to maximize space efficiency. This nesting approach allows multiple Spice selections to coexist in a compact footprint without compromising Spice preservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If wetting reservoir and Spices are housed together, then device complexity is reduced, but moisture contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidmoisture contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wetting agent reservoir is extracted and positioned in a separate wetting area away from the Spice compartments. This extraction creates a physical barrier that prevents moisture contamination of Spices through evaporation or spilling, while the overall device structure remains relatively simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A separate wetting area acts as an intermediary zone between the wetting agent reservoir and the Spice compartments. This intermediary space allows the wetting agent to be applied to the rim without directly contacting the Spices, preventing moisture contamination while maintaining device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If many individual Spice containers are used to handle numerous Spices, then Spice variety is increased, but functionality and ergonomics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpice varietyVSAvoidfunctionality and ergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple Spice compartments are merged into a single rimmer device with a unified structure, allowing users to access multiple Spice varieties without handling separate containers. This merging improves ergonomics and functionality by providing a single integrated unit while maintaining high Spice variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rimmer device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different Spice types in its compartments. This multi-functional design allows the same device structure to handle numerous Spice varieties, improving ease of operation compared to using specialized individual containers for each Spice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The apparatus enables efficient and contamination-free application of multiple spice selections to drinkware rims, enhancing beverage presentation and space utilization, and allowing for the preservation and full utilization of expensive spice preparations.

Implementation Method 1

a suspension material, such as a sponge, for applying a wetting agent to the rim of the drinkware when the drinkware is inverted and its rim introduced into the wetting agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the wetting agent, which adheres the Spice to the rim of the drinkware

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8915391B2Drinkware rimming apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2014.12.23 ROXI GRP
  • US8915391B2 patent drawing
  • US8915391B2 patent drawing
  • US8915391B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A drinkware rimming apparatus including a wetting receptacle, a cutout, and a rotatable tray having a plurality of spice receptacles. The tray is rotatable relative to the cutout (or vice-versa) to align and provide downward access to a desired spice receptacle or to the wetting receptacle. A cover may be included and the cutout can be in the cover and/or the tray. The cover can have beverage garnish compartments on a top surface thereof. The wetting receptacle can be positioned in a tray or on the cover. The cutout can be in another tray also having one or more spice receptacles and above the first-mentioned tray and rotatable independently of the lower tray. A method of applying spice to rims of drinkware is also disclosed.