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 and breaking, lack aesthetic appeal, and do not provide a comfortable drinking experience similar to a fine wine glass.
Innovation Solution
A single serve beverage cup design featuring a base, bowl, and cover with a decreasing diameter from the base to the bowl, including an open area in the base for cooling and storage, and a seal that can be an induction heat seal, made of PET material for durability and recyclability, allowing for easy grasping and sipping without warming the wine, and accommodating a miniature liquor bottle for cocktail preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional wine glass design is used, then aesthetic appeal and drinking experience are improved, but stability and resistance to breaking are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional glass to PET plastic, fundamentally altering the physical properties of the cup. This allows the cup to maintain the aesthetic shape of a wine glass while gaining resistance to breaking and suitability for outdoor events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the traditional wine glass form using different material (PET plastic). The cup replicates the visual appearance and basic structure of a wine glass but uses durable plastic material to avoid breaking while maintaining the aesthetic appeal.
2Shape
If stem design is used, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but stability and resistance to tipping are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stem element from the traditional wine glass design, eliminating the narrow connecting structure that causes tipping. The cup transitions from a stemmed design to a direct-base design where the bowl sits directly on a stable base, removing the instability while maintaining aesthetic appeal through alternative design elements.
3Shape
If narrow base design is used, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but ease of grasping is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different base diameters at different locations. The base has a first diameter at the bottom and a second, larger diameter at the top where it meets the bowl, creating a flared shape. This provides structural stability while the enlarged upper portion facilitates easy grasping by fingers.
4Ease of operation
If hand-held design is used, then ease of drinking is improved, but temperature control is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable single-serve cup design where the entire cup is discarded after use. This eliminates the temperature control issue because the cup is not reused - each new cup starts at the correct temperature. The disposable nature allows the cup to be pre-chilled without concern for repeated handling and warming.
5Adaptability or versatility
If complex structure is used, then functionality is improved, but ease of manufacture is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal base design that can accommodate multiple functions and product types. The base structure serves as both the structural support and the filling mechanism, and can hold various items (ice, cocktail mix, miniature bottles) depending on the product variant. This multi-functional base simplifies manufacturing while maintaining versatility.
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 is stable, aesthetically pleasing, easy to manufacture and fill, and provides a comfortable drinking experience similar to a fine wine glass, while being suitable for outdoor events and capable of holding a miniature liquor bottle for cocktail preparation.
Implementation Method 1
The seal may be, but is not limited to, an induction heat seal
Data Source
AI summary
A single serve beverage cup, including for a cocktail, is disclosed having a base, a bowl, a seal, a top cover and a bottom cover. The single-serve beverage cup includes a cavity for receiving a miniature liquor bottle for making a cocktail. There are disclosed various embodiments of the bottom cover.