Ceramic Drip Containment for Funnel Stem Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Funnels pose a challenge in safely and efficiently containing drips of dirty or toxic liquids, as the stem portion is often too long and narrow to reach inside for cleaning, leading to prolonged dripping and potential stains and hazards.
Innovation Solution
A ceramic drip containment apparatus with a glazed exterior and unglazed interior cavity, featuring an aperture to receive the funnel's distal portion, allowing residual fluid to drip and be absorbed without leakage, and optionally designed for hanging and ornamental shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the funnel stem portion is made long and narrow to facilitate liquid flow, then liquid transfer efficiency is improved, but the ability to reach inside for cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the funnel into two separable parts: a reusable funnel body and a disposable stem portion. The stem portion can be easily detached and discarded after use, eliminating the need to clean long, narrow stems while maintaining efficient liquid transfer during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The stem portion is designed as a disposable component that is inexpensive to replace. After the funnel is used and the stem becomes contaminated with toxic or viscous liquids, the entire stem portion can be discarded and replaced with a fresh one, avoiding cleaning difficulties while maintaining productivity.
2Ease of operation
If the funnel is hung on a wall or placed on a shelf for storage, then storage convenience is improved, but liquid leakage and staining deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is designed with a disposable stem portion that is replaced after each use. This eliminates residual liquids that would otherwise continue to drip during storage, preventing stains and hazards while maintaining convenient storage options.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to clean and reuse the funnel stem, the invention discards the contaminated stem portion and recovers the reusable funnel body for another use with a fresh stem, eliminating leakage risks during storage.
3Productivity
If the funnel is used to transfer viscous liquids like oil, then liquid transfer capability is improved, but drying time and cleanup difficulty deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable stem portion absorbs viscous liquids like oil during use and is then discarded entirely, eliminating the need to wait for drying or attempt cleanup of sticky, time-consuming residues while maintaining effective liquid transfer capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively contains and absorbs residual fluid from funnels, preventing leaks and hazards, while being safe and visually appealing, with the ceramic body being replaceable or recyclable when saturated.
Implementation Method 1
a ceramic body having a glazed exterior surface and an unglazed interior surface defining a cavity therein, and an aperture defining an opening from the exterior surface to the interior surface, the aperture and interior surface adapted to receive therein a distal portion of a funnel and to support the funnel so that residual fluid inside the funnel will tend to drip into the interior of the ceramic body and be absorbed into the ceramic body but not leak through the glazed exterior surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a drip containment apparatus that in certain example embodiments may comprise a ceramic body having a glazed exterior surface and an unglazed interior surface defining a cavity therein, and an aperture defining an opening from the exterior surface to the interior surface, the aperture and interior surface being adapted to receive therein a distal portion of a funnel and to support the funnel so that residual fluid inside the funnel will tend to drip into the interior of the ceramic body and be absorbed into the ceramic body but not leak through the glazed exterior surface. A support structure may be provided to support the ceramic body while it is holding the funnel. The ceramic body may be ornamental in appearance. In one embodiment the ceramic body is adapted to be hung on a wall during use.