Transport Container for Beverage Cups in Bottle Crates
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing waste of single-use beverage cups, particularly due to a lack of suitable recycling facilities and hygiene regulations, and the logistical challenges in returning used cups for recycling, necessitate a solution that allows for efficient and cost-effective recycling and cleaning of cups at any bottle acceptance point.
Innovation Solution
A transport container designed to fit within bottle crates, featuring grid-patterned projections for cup placement, a liquid-tight design, and removable covers, allowing for easy handling and processing of cups alongside bottles, ensuring minimal logistical effort and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transport containers for beverage cups are introduced separately from bottle crates, then cups can be collected and transported for recycling, but the volume and logistical complexity of transport increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transport function for beverage cups with the existing bottle crate infrastructure. The transport container for cups is designed to fit precisely into the free space above bottles in standard bottle crates, merging two separate transport needs (bottles and cups) into a single integrated system. This eliminates the need for separate cup transport containers and reduces overall transport volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottle crate is given multi-functionality by enabling it to transport both bottles and beverage cups simultaneously. The crate structure serves dual purposes: holding bottles in the lower portion and accommodating the cup transport container in the upper portion. This universal design allows existing bottle crate infrastructure to be used for cup collection without additional logistical complexity.
2Reliability
If professional recycling facilities are established for beverage cups, then recycling quality and environmental benefits improve, but logistical effort and infrastructure costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary transport container that serves as a bridge between collection points and professional recycling facilities. This container acts as a mediator by providing a standardized, liquid-tight transport solution that can be easily handled by existing logistics infrastructure. The intermediary container enables professional recycling without requiring complex point-to-point logistics arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport container is designed with preliminary features that facilitate easy handling and processing at recycling facilities. The grid-patterned bottom with protrusions pre-organizes cup placement, the liquid-tight design prevents contamination during transport, and the removable lid enables easy loading and unloading. These preliminary actions reduce the complexity of subsequent recycling operations.
3Productivity
If the transport container is designed to fit within bottle crates, then transport efficiency improves, but the container design becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The transport container employs local quality by having different structural characteristics in different areas. The bottom features a grid pattern with protrusions for cup placement, the walls are designed to be liquid-tight, the top includes a removable lid, and the overall shape is optimized to fit within bottle crates. Each local area has specialized features that collectively achieve both compactness and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The container design is segmented into distinct functional zones: the grid-patterned bottom for cup organization, the liquid-tight walls for containment, the removable lid for access, and the optimized outer shape for crate integration. This segmentation allows each zone to be independently optimized for its specific function while contributing to the overall efficiency of the transport system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport container (1) for holding a plurality of used or unused beverage cups (7), which can be placed in an inverted position on projections (6) arranged in a grid pattern on the bottom of the trough-shaped transport container (1). According to the invention, the bottom and walls of the transport container (1) are liquid-tight over at least a portion of their height. The transport container (1) can be inserted into the space above a standard bottle crate (2-4) for transporting a plurality of beverage bottles (5), the upper edge of the transport container (1) not extending above the upper edge of the bottle crate (2-4). The projections (6) are designed such that the necks of the beverage bottles (5) can enter the open interior of the projections (6) from the underside of the transport container (1).