Stacking Cups With Segmented Bottom Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stacking cups lack a secure mechanism to hold multiple cups simultaneously, limiting their ability to form complex shapes and structures, which can hinder developmental benefits for toddlers in terms of motor skills and geometric understanding.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a bottom portion with multiple grooves that securely engage the rims of other cups, allowing for the simultaneous holding of four cups, enabling stable stacking in various orientations and shapes without additional mechanical support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stacking cups are used without engaging elements, then the cups can be stacked inside one another for storage, but they lack the ability to securely hold multiple cups simultaneously for forming complex shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to form complex shapesVSAvoidsecure holding mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom portion is segmented into multiple grooves (typically four grooves arranged radially), each capable of engaging a separate cup rim. This segmentation allows the single cup to securely hold multiple other cups simultaneously in different orientations, enabling complex shape formation while maintaining reliable engagement for each individual cup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple engaging elements are added to the bottom portion, then the cups can securely hold multiple cups simultaneously, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding mechanismVSAvoidstructure of bottom portion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cups are designed to nest within each other while maintaining engagement capability. The grooves in the bottom portion of one cup engage the rims of other cups that are nested or positioned around it, creating a compact yet complex structure that secures multiple cups without requiring additional external mechanical supports or complex assembly mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the grooves are designed to hold cups in multiple orientations, then the versatility for forming shapes is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestacking orientationsVSAvoidgroove orientation and positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The grooves are positioned asymmetrically around the bottom portion at specific angular intervals (e.g., 90 degrees apart for four grooves), allowing cups to be engaged in multiple fixed orientations. This asymmetric arrangement provides versatile stacking options while maintaining manufacturable precision requirements, as the grooves follow simple radial patterns that are easier to manufacture compared to arbitrary positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11278791B2Stacking cups

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 CHAIT YOCHANAN

AI summary

A stacking cup is provided including a side wall having a rim on a first end thereof defining an upper opening; a bottom portion defined on a second end of the side wall such that the sidewall and the bottom portion define a vessel having the upper opening; at least one engaging element defined on the bottom portion the engaging element being configured to engage a portion of a rim of another cup such that the other cup is securely held by the engaging element.