Self-Anchoring Beverage Container With Automatic Suction Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Beverage containers, such as glasses and mugs, are prone to tipping and consequent spillage due to their tall design and high center of gravity, and existing solutions like suction devices require user intervention for stabilization.

Innovation Solution

A self-anchoring beverage container with a flexible nonporous base that forms a controlled pressure zone, allowing it to self-bias and remain affixed to a surface without user action, and automatically release when lifted naturally, preventing tipping and spillage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a beverage container is designed with a tall body and large opening for easy access and consumption, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the container deteriorates due to high center of gravity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of consumptionVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two functional segments: the upper receptacle assembly for beverage storage and consumption, and the lower base member with suction cup for stabilization. This segmentation allows the tall container body to maintain ease of access while the separate base provides stability through surface attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cup base acts as a counterbalancing element that offsets the high center of gravity effect. By creating a vacuum attachment to the surface, the base generates a downward holding force that counteracts the tipping moment caused by the tall container body and high center of gravity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a suction device is used to stabilize the beverage container, then the stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring user intervention for placement and release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer stabilityVSAvoiduser intervention required

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container performs self-stabilization through its integrated suction cup base that automatically attaches to surfaces when placed. The system serves itself by creating the vacuum seal through its own weight and structure, eliminating the need for user intervention to activate or maintain the stabilizing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The suction cup base is pre-configured with a venting mechanism that automatically opens during natural lifting motion. This preliminary design allows the container to self-release from the surface without requiring user intervention, as the lifting action itself triggers the venting and release sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of substance

If a removable cover is added to prevent spillage, then the loss of substance is reduced, but the device complexity increases and user operation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage spillageVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding a cover to prevent spillage, the invention converts the harmful tipping motion into a beneficial stabilizing mechanism. The suction cup base uses the container's weight and placement motion to create a vacuum seal that prevents tipping and spillage, transforming the potential harm of movement into the benefit of automatic stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 container remains stable and resistant to tipping without user intervention, allowing effortless lifting and minimizing spillage, operating intuitively and stealthily.

Implementation Method 1

the controlled pressure zone generating a partial vacuum when an attempt is made to move the beverage container without actuating the pressure control device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the self-biasing will be released surreptitiously and the beverage container will lift away from the reference surface without discernable resistance when the pressure control device is actuated to vent the controlled pressure zone to ambient pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS8028850B2Self-anchoring beverage container with directional release and attachment capability

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 MIGHTY VENTURES INC

AI summary

A self-anchoring beverage container with directional release and attachment capability has a flexible nonporous base member adapted to seal to a reference surface and create a controlled pressure zone. A receptacle assembly is mounted to the base member and includes a beverage holding chamber. A communication channel in the receptacle assembly extends from the controlled pressure zone to an area of ambient pressure. A pressure control device on the receptacle assembly is adapted to alternately close the communication channel to seal the controlled pressure zone and open the communication channel to vent the controlled pressure zone to ambient pressure. The receptacle assembly further includes a grasping portion arranged to be grasped by a user. The pressure control device is operatively connected to the grasping portion for actuation to the open position when a user grasps the grasping portion during normal lifting of the beverage container from the reference surface.