Strap-Mounted Food Holder for Spill-Free Child Seating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Children in strollers or car seats face difficulties in accessing food due to awkward positioning of snack trays, which can lead to spills and accidents, as existing solutions are cumbersome and not securely attached.
Innovation Solution
A food holding device with a pliable receptacle member and a flexible strap that can be securely attached to a child's limb, allowing easy access and preventing spills by keeping the food container stable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a snack tray is used to hold food items, then food can be contained and accessed, but the tray is cumbersome and provides limited use when the child is not strapped into the device
Solution Approach 1:
The food containment function is extracted from a fixed tray structure and transferred to a flexible receptacle that can be independently positioned and secured to the child's body, separating the food holding capability from the stroller or car seat structure
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to be positioned and secured dynamically to different body parts (wrist, arm, leg, thigh) rather than being fixed in a single location on the device
2Ease of operation
If food items are placed between the child's legs or beside them, then food can be accessed, but reaching for food becomes awkward and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The food receptacle is moved from the horizontal plane (between legs or beside child on seat surface) to the vertical dimension (secured to limb or body part), bringing food within the child's natural reach zone
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible receptacle acts as an intermediary between the food source and the child, positioning food directly at the child's hand level on their body rather than requiring reaching across space
3Reliability
If a suction device is used to attach the holder, then the holder can be securely attached, but it requires a surface to be suctioned to
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible strap with various connection elements (suction cup, magnetic elements, hook and loop material, snap connectors, buttons, buckles, clasps) provides multiple attachment methods that can work with different surfaces and conditions, making the attachment system universal rather than surface-specific
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism changes from a single fixed method (suction) to multiple methods with different physical principles (magnetic attraction, mechanical interlocking, friction), allowing adaptation to different surfaces and security requirements
4Reliability
If the child's eye-line is compromised by strapping, then the child is securely restrained, but the child's ability to see food is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system and food presentation are segmented into separate functions - the harness provides restraint while the flexible receptacle positioned on the child's body provides food access, allowing both functions to operate independently without interfering with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A food holding device includes a receptacle member having a body and a surrounding wall for containing food. A flexible strap is attached to the receptacle member. One end of the strap is connectible to secure the receptacle around an object (e.g., a thigh of a child). The flexible strap has ends that are configured for releasable connection (e.g., using hook and loop material). The ends can overlappingly connect to secure the receptacle to the child. The strap can be attached to the receptacle member in a number of ways, and may be removable. A liner and/or a closure device (e.g., lid or drawstring) may be used with the device. The receptacle member can receive and hold a container or a pre-packaged item. The receptacle member can be a pre-packaged item itself with an attached or attachable strap. One or more parts of the device can be disposable and/or reusable.