Device and method for measuring and dispensing customizable amounts of material
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective methods to accurately measure and quantify the medicinal properties of cannabis and other non-flowable and solid materials, particularly in the medical and culinary fields, due to contamination and variability in strength, leading to inconsistent dosages and efficacy assessments.
Innovation Solution
A portable device with a tubular housing and adjustable plunger allows for precise measurement and dispensing of non-flowable and solid materials without direct handling, using a chamber that can be adjusted to capture and release specific amounts, minimizing contamination and ensuring consistent dosages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for non-flowable and solid materials, then measurement can be performed, but excessive handling with hands causes contamination and strips naturally occurring chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spoon-shaped measuring device as an intermediary tool between the user and the material. The device includes a bowl for receiving material, a handle for gripping, and a blade for leveling, allowing users to measure materials without direct hand contact. This intermediary structure prevents contamination while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If a scale is used for measuring solid ingredients, then measurement can be achieved, but it is not convenient and portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from complex electronic scales and consolidates it into a simple, portable spoon-shaped device. By removing unnecessary components and keeping only the essential measuring functionality in a compact form, the device achieves both accuracy and portability.
3Device complexity
If fixed chamber depth is used, then device structure is simple, but cannot measure different amounts of material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an adjustable plunger mechanism that allows the chamber depth to be dynamically changed. The plunger can be positioned at different heights to create varying measurement volumes, enabling the device to measure different amounts of material while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Ease of operation
If hand handling is used for measuring materials, then operation is simple, but dosages are inconsistent due to variability in strength
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service measurement through its structured design. The bowl receives material, the adjustable plunger defines the measurement volume, and the blade provides consistent leveling. This self-contained system eliminates the need for subjective hand handling while maintaining operational simplicity, ensuring consistent dosages through repeatable mechanical actions.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and method for measuring and dispensing customizable amounts of dried non-flowable material (e.g. tea, herbs, cannabis, etc.) and solid material (e.g. cake yeast and butter) may comprise a tubular housing and an adjustable plunger. The front-end portion of the tubular housing may include a plunger cavity for insertion of the adjustable plunger. The rear-end portion of the tubular housing may include a chamber to capture solid material for measuring. The adjustable plunger may define the depth of the chamber, such that when the length of the plunger is adjusted, the chamber depth is set to a predetermined volume. In operation, the user may place the measuring device, chamber-side down into the solid or non-flowable material to gather the material into the chamber. When the user desires to release the substance, the user can apply pressure on the adjustable plunger to release the same.