Hi Everybody, i have some question ask about my new idea!

[rajasiang]

I am so glad to join this business forum as I can see a lot of helpful people around.

I work as a researh engineer in one of the hot 100 new technology business in UK. Work is fun and keep me think of a lot of new idea to be research and solve potential problem.

One of the new idea I came across is about the car cup holder. Just part of my research, could I here a view from you guys here, do you have cup holder in your car - if possible, your car model and year?

Do you think it is necessary? Or is your current cup holder good enough?

All comments are appreciated.

Thanks and all the best to all of us!

Raja

[emubill]

i have citreon picasso 2002. two inside glove box. Good size and stable when on the move, but obviously reduces legroom. two drop down trays in the back which have cup holders though they aren't deep enough to keep cups stable while on the move.

Welcome to the forum aswell.

Nige

[Jayne]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum :D

My car is an S reg freelander landrover. It has cup holders, but also has neat little stretchy things on the doors, to hold cups and bottles while driving.

But I must say I never drink and drive :lol:

Jayne

[Cornish Steve]

We have a 12-seater van: 1997 Chevrolet Express. No one ever argues with us on the road! It is designed such that there is a cupholder available to every passenger, although this doesn't work too well in the back. When we're driving our son's soccer team around, they usually have plenty of bottles of water on hand and don't use the cupholders.

If you're looking for a business idea, I'd certainly buy a gyroscopic cupholder that prevents spillage no matter how steep the corner. I'd also like to see a cupholder that accepts cups of any size and that can better accommodate cup handles.

[Steve Roberts]

I've got a BMW 330, registered about two years ago. Astonishingly not one cup holder!

My wife drives a Toyota MPV (7 seater) which has loads of cup holders - we never use them.

I've also got a bunch of high performance sports cars, none of which have cup holders. Which is just as well !!!

[rajasiang]

thanks guy for the comment. Looking forward to hear more.! Cheers

[robbie williams]

I have a year old audi A4 and it has a cup holder in the dash which is fine although I did end up with a can of diet coke in my lap after it fell out whilst negotiating the bends near salisbury plain...

[Magsite]

Hi

I had a '98 Passat with cup holders in the dash (prob the same as audi above)

Done the job well

Lisa

[uksbc]

the ability to securely situate a cup while driving is a passion of mine

as i spend a lot of time in the car and cover high mileage it is essential i can consume the required amount of caffeine! (Alot)

i have just got a new vectra and for some reason the cup holder slides out of the front of the rear seat - WHY?

non in the front at all

you need to dislocate your shoulder to pick up your beverage - not great!!

[rajasiang]

Just my comments and observation now: seem to be a lot of OEM cup holder didnt do the job they intend to do, or they are just in very odd position that it is so hard to reach.

"the idea is solving this problem and produce an aftermarket solution that will benefit all the drivers that currently suffering from this problem"

Do you guys think this will be cool?

[Cornish Steve]

Just my comments and observation now: seem to be a lot of OEM cup holder didnt do the job they intend to do, or they are just in very odd position that it is so hard to reach.

"the idea is solving this problem and produce an aftermarket solution that will benefit all the drivers that currently suffering from this problem"

Do you guys think this will be cool?

I did a quick Google search for "car accessories cup holder", and I was presented with hundreds of entries. Of the many products available, take a look at the following:

http://www.autobarn.net/rub5121series.html

The problem you have is that existing products are inexpensive and readily available; plus, there are lots of distributors available online.

To make your idea work, you need a unique angle of some sort, an accessible market, and the contacts required to produce at low cost. You don't want to be competing on price (how much profit can be made on a product that retails for under two pounds?). If you have an idea that's gimicky or creative, however, drivers may be willing to pay extra.

I'm not sure how litigious society has become in Britain, but in the US this is a product that could be susceptible to law suits (for the pain and suffering caused by spilling hot coffee due to a faulty product).

I really don't mean to sound negative, just realistic.

[Argentice]

I have one in my Fiesta. It works well for cans, but not for bottles. It wouldn't work at all for a "cup"

[Jayne]

Maybe you sould look into a none spill cup to put your drink into, not a holder? We sell teas in poly cups and with lids, even with the lid on, you tip it and it'll spill! Alot of the work men pour it into a flask before getting in their cars.

Just an idea!

Jayne :D

[clairemackaness]

I have a peugeot 106 and there is no gadgets at all. I'd like a cup holder as I can never finish Macdonalds drinks and like to keep them with me when i carry on my journey.

[fridayteam]

Welcome to the forum Raja!

[fastfences]

I'm not sure how litigious society has become in Britain, but in the US this is a product that could be susceptible to law suits (for the pain and suffering caused by spilling hot coffee due to a faulty product).



Very valid call, Steve. I think Britain is behind only Australia in its quest to match USA in the injury litigation stakes. You mention coffee spills; there was a major case approx 15? years ago where McDonald's was sued after a drive through customer spilt his coffee, claiming the coffee was too hot.

Sorry Raj, got carried away there.

I'm a bit higher up in the 'prestige' stakes than most of my fellow members. My '93 Transit doesn't have a cup holder, although I can firmly wedge a cup between the plush seats. I would consider any 'aftermarket' prospect.

Cheers, Nigel

[caroline]

Welcome to the forum!! I have a Ford Galaxy people carrier. It does have cup holders but to be honest I don't use them much. This is a great forum I'm sure you will get lots of info here :0)

[dav99lou]

Hi Raja, Just to let you know about the Renault Grand Scenic 05 the cup holders are between the front seats, I love it, real easy to manouver even hot drinks. Normally the handbrake would be in the way but the Scenic has an automatic handbrake with the manual lever on the right of the steering wheel. The gear stick sits higher up also! too much information probably, you can tell I am a satisfied customer, Well Done Renault!


All the best

louise



www.telecomplus.org.uk/saved

[rajasiang]

Just my comments and observation now: seem to be a lot of OEM cup holder didnt do the job they intend to do, or they are just in very odd position that it is so hard to reach.

"the idea is solving this problem and produce an aftermarket solution that will benefit all the drivers that currently suffering from this problem"

Do you guys think this will be cool?

I did a quick Google search for "car accessories cup holder", and I was presented with hundreds of entries. Of the many products available, take a look at the following:

http://www.autobarn.net/rub5121series.html

The problem you have is that existing products are inexpensive and readily available; plus, there are lots of distributors available online.

To make your idea work, you need a unique angle of some sort, an accessible market, and the contacts required to produce at low cost. You don't want to be competing on price (how much profit can be made on a product that retails for under two pounds?). If you have an idea that's gimicky or creative, however, drivers may be willing to pay extra.

I'm not sure how litigious society has become in Britain, but in the US this is a product that could be susceptible to law suits (for the pain and suffering caused by spilling hot coffee due to a faulty product).

I really don't mean to sound negative, just realistic.

thanks for the comments. I do appreciated what you have pointed out.
The idea that I am having is the cup holder that could virtually be fitted on any comfortable location especially focus on driver.

The cup holder will need to be able to hold up to certain size of cup, bottle and can. Also need to be able to fit onto the angled or curved surface but still can provide gyro effect when the cup is in place.

It need to be slim and foldable when it is not needed and look good obviously.

About the production wise, the cost for a small amount of plastic, bearings, etc. will only fraction if get it done in a right place. My previous background in import export business has helped me to see a lot of alternative opportunities to get things produce elsewhere.

Is anybody think that this product is worth for me to put a deep thought in?

[Cornish Steve]

Is anybody think that this product is worth for me to put a deep thought in?
You've thought a lot about this, so it's worth thinking a little more. The key will be to understand the real need and offer something unique or distinctive. For what they're worth, here are some random ideas:

1) A disposable cupholder. Since it's a low-cost item anyway, why not make it disposable? You could sell this to drive-through restaurants too.

(Incidentally, I once thought about starting a service to operate at petrol stations. For $5 and while someone is filling their car, we would check tyre pressure, deliver the morning paper, and pass along a doughnut and coffee. A disposable cupholder would have been great for this.)

2) A cup-holder with a cup! It sounds obvious, but I've only ever seen cup-holders sold without cups. Why not include the cup too? It would fit perfectly (less likely to spill), and you could add all kinds of options (such as a cup-cum-flask to keep the drink hot).

3) A cup-holder with an extendable tray. How many times have you tried to eat something from a plate in a car? Maybe I'm the only one (!), but it's not easy. It would help to have a tray in front of me so (as a passenger) I could have both hands free to eat. Great for kids too.

4) I mentioned the gyroscopic cup-holder before. It could command a higher price ("space age"), it would be fascinating to watch, and it would be really useful. This would require a lot of technical know-how though.

Maybe these ideas are all impractical, but the point is that maybe there's a need somewhere in there and you could find a clever and unique way to meet it.

Good luck as you continue to think this through.

[VeryMark]

I have a great cup device on my pc that's really clever - you know the one that shoots out when you press the button marked "cd"?

[LottoJam]

I have an X reg Renault Scenic - what passes for cup-holders is an area in front of the gear stick. Wont accept a traditional cup - or a keep warm type mug, nor a bottle. Will however hold a can - but not very stable when cornering.

I have also tried some of the clip on holders that attach to the air vents. Waste of money - first can of coke that went in went all over the dash.

The one product I had years ago was a sort of gyro thing that kep a can or disposaable coffee cup level at pretty much any road speed or while cornering - never spilled a drop. However, never been able to find another one.

Regards

Paul

[uksbc]

best cup holder in any vehicle i have ever had is in the new shape avensis

it sort of slides out of the dash like cd drawer - more should fit them!!

[rajasiang]

hi guys,

thanks for the inputs and comments. It significantly stimulate and seem like an online brain storming session!!!

We should do this more and I am we will have a great idea came out one day that could be patentable and benefit all of us that participate!

Thanks goldctrsteve for your details comments. I love that.

I am now trying to put a few thoughts together and get a drawing out. Lets see how it go then.............!!! yo!

Furthermore, really interest in any other business idea that my skill can help here! Ciao!

[VeryMark]

Dear Raja,

Don't forget that before you file a patent or registered design application you shouldn't show the design to anyone else except under a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

[rajasiang]

Dear Raja,

Don't forget that before you file a patent or registered design application you shouldn't show the design to anyone else except under a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Thanks Phil for the advise. Actually apart from this idea, I do also have other idea that is patentable. Is it some sort of services that you can provide?

Hopefully it wont cost an arm or leg. Just kidding .

I do really hope to hear from you about the service. Cheers.

[webit]

AFAIK a petent is no longer enforcable once the idea has been shared.

[VeryMark]

Yes, we do provide services for patenting, as well as design and trade mark registration, and we are happy to give an initial free consultation. We also have a variety of free factsheets.

(And, yes, if the invention is disclosed publicly, it will invalidate any subsequently filed patent - but not of course any patent filed beforehand.)

[Srivvy]

Hi Raja

I have a Vauxhall Omega with a holder between the front seats. When you open it out it is behind you so you cant reach it - waste of time.

Welcome to the forum

[Projectmaster]

Welcome to the site,

Your cup holders will have to be pretty unique as the last to I had (unwanted chrimbo pressy last year) sat in the back footwell of my car for nearly a year right up until a few weeks ago, then I 'modded' one and hey presto adn ice scraper, so on the upside, they do have uses.

Good luck

Projectmaster

[Admiral Collections]

you need to dislocate your shoulder to pick up your beverage - not great!!

That's so funny.

Are you planning on designing a new concept altogether? But I agree with Jayne, I don't drink and drive, maybe thats what your car manufacturer was trying to tell you UK, either that or their designers are double jointed.

Nic :wink:

[multilingual]

Mercedes E-Class with a double cup holder on the glove box door. It is fine when stood still having a quick coffee break, but on the move it is a waste of time as it is too shallow to support a cup.

Also it can't be removed to clean it, so if there are any spillages I have to leave it down until I get home and then clean up the mess. If I just shut the door then all the spilled coffee gets thrown into the glove box!

JB

[rajasiang]

maybe thats what your car manufacturer was trying to tell you UK, either that or their designers are double jointed.

Nic :wink:

Haha, u make a good point there, but i think it is more dangerous by having a not fully functional cup holder that mislead the user that it will do the job they intend to do.

What if the drinks spill while u are driving, u loose ur concentration straight away and try to save the lovely coffe or else.

Recently I have done a lot of thinking about this and IMO, a fully functional cup holder is needed. But the question is, how many of the consumer out there would like to put an additional add-on cup holder to their car? (that work well for driver)

Will this idea work and get a lot of support?

And also the major problem is, what if it really work and somebody just pinch and copy it and sell it very very very cheaply!

I have no idea now....apart worried.

[Hotelexpert]

Welcome to the forum. I don't have a cup holder
but in the past whatever type I've bought never
seemed to fit properly. I have a Ford Mondeo
Verona, if you can make a cup holder that fits
I'll be interested as long as the price is reasonable.

Lawrence