Single-serve beverage cup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing single-serve beverage containers for wine are not suitable for outdoor events as they are prone to tipping over, breaking, and lack aesthetic appeal, while also not providing an enjoyable drinking experience.

Innovation Solution

A single-serve beverage cup designed with a base and bowl structure that is stable, easy to grasp, and aesthetically pleasing, featuring a frosted base with a logo, an induction heat seal, and a cover that can be used as a coaster, allowing for easy filling and storage, and capable of holding a miniature liquor bottle for mixing cocktails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional single-serve wine containers (base, stem, bowl) are used, then the beverage can be contained and served, but the container tips over easily and is subject to breaking at the stem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability and breakage resistanceVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into distinct functional components: a stable base portion with flat bottom for support, a separate bowl portion for beverage containment, and a connecting stem. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently - the base for stability and the bowl for beverage quality - while resolving the contradiction between structural complexity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replicates the essential functional characteristics of traditional wine glasses (bowl shape for beverage presentation, stem for handling) while using modern materials and design to eliminate the stem's vulnerability to breakage. The base portion copies the stable support function of a wine glass base, creating a reliable single-serve container that maintains the wine glass experience without the fragility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If pouches are used for single-serve wine containers, then the container is stable and does not tip over, but the container is not attractive and not particularly palatable when drinking fine wine

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal and drinking experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs composite construction combining a rigid base portion for stability with a carefully designed bowl portion that mimics traditional wine glass aesthetics. The use of clear or translucent materials in the bowl allows the beverage to be visually appreciated, while the structured base provides the stability of pouches. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between stability and aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If a base with stem and bowl structure is used, then the beverage can be served, but the container is not suitable for outdoor events such as concerts or sporting events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuitability for outdoor eventsVSAvoidbreakage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a disposable single-serve container design that eliminates the need for durable, reusable glassware typically required for outdoor events. The container is designed to be used once and discarded, removing the breakage risk entirely while maintaining the essential wine glass drinking experience through its bowl and stem design. This resolves the contradiction between adaptability for outdoor events and breakage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the bowl area diameter is greater than the base diameter, then the cover can be used as a coaster and storage is improved, but the cup structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover functionality and storageVSAvoidcup structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with multi-functionality: it seals the bowl to maintain beverage freshness, it can be inverted to serve as a coaster protecting surfaces from condensation or spills, and it provides a lid for portable storage. The bowl diameter is specifically designed to be larger than the base, enabling the cover to function effectively as a coaster when inverted. This universal design resolves the contradiction between versatility and structural complexity.

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 cup provides a stable, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing solution for enjoying wine or cocktails at outdoor events, preventing tipping and breakage, while maintaining the quality and freshness of the beverage through a polymer material that mimics a glass experience.

Implementation Method 1

The seal may be, but is not limited to, an induction heat seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11659945B2Single-serve beverage cup

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 CALDERCO HOLDINGS GROUP LLC

AI summary

A single serve beverage cup, including for wine, is disclosed having a base, a bowl, a seal and a cover. The container may also include an outer package and an inner package. There is also disclosed a single serve beverage cup having a cavity for receiving a miniature liquor bottle for making a cocktail.