Servers tray drink holder assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink holder devices fail to effectively secure beverage containers on a server's tray, leading to potential tipping and spillage during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A server's tray with a continuously arcuate outer perimeter and a removable carrying plate equipped with cups and fasteners, allowing secure attachment to the tray to prevent tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple plate with cutouts is used to hold beverage containers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the beverage containers are not effectively secured and may tip during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying plate is segmented into multiple functional zones: a basal wall for tray attachment, an upper surface for cup placement, and an exterior wall with recesses for additional stabilization. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function while working together to prevent tipping
Solution Approach 2:
The cups are nested within the carrying plate structure, with each cup positioned in a recessed area of the plate. This nesting arrangement provides lateral support to the beverage containers while maintaining a compact overall structure that doesn't increase complexity significantly
2Reliability
If cups are attached to the carrying plate to secure beverage containers, then the stability of beverage containers is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cups are merged with the carrying plate through direct attachment, forming an integrated structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate holding mechanisms while providing effective stabilization for beverage containers during transport
3Ease of operation
If a removable carrying plate with fasteners is used, then the ease of operation is improved for loading and unloading, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The carrying plate transitions from a static structure to a dynamic, removable component that can be easily attached to and detached from the server's tray. This dynamic capability allows servers to quickly reconfigure the tray for different tasks (food service vs. beverage service) without permanent modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The fasteners are pre-positioned on the carrying plate and tray, allowing for quick connection without requiring alignment or complex assembly procedures. The preliminary placement of attachment points enables rapid deployment of the beverage holding capability
Data Source
AI summary
A server's tray drink holder assembly includes a server's tray which has a continuously arcuate outer perimeter such that the server's tray has a circular shape. In this way the server's tray can be carried by a server while the server is transporting food or beverages to patrons of a restaurant. A carrying plate is removably positionable on top of the server's tray and a plurality of cups is attached to the carrying plate. Each of the plurality of cups can insertably receive a beverage container thereby inhibiting the beverage container from tipping when the server is carrying the server's tray. A plurality of fasteners is each attachable to the carrying plate and the server's tray when the carrying plate is positioned on the server's tray for retaining the carrying plate on the server's tray.