Collapsible Ammunition Bucket With Straining Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ammunition buckets for blasters are messy and difficult to use, especially when straining excess water, and face challenges with portability when filled with ammunition and water.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible ammunition bucket with an accordion-style design, a sealed lid resistant to splashing and leakage, and a three-way drain and strain port with a dispensing valve that includes primary and secondary control notches for controlled water and ammunition dispensing, along with a carrying handle for improved ergonomics and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional ammunition bucket is used for preparing Gellets, then the basic function of holding and dispensing ammunition is achieved, but the process becomes messy and difficult to use especially when straining excess water
Solution Approach 1:
The bucket is divided into distinct functional zones: a straining section with mesh for separating water from Gellets, a dispensing section with controlled valve, and a carrying handle. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing mess by containing the straining process within the mesh section and controlling dispensing through the valve mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
A mesh strainer acts as an intermediary between the water/Gellet mixture and the dispensing valve. The mesh filters out excess water while allowing Gellets to pass through to the dispensing section, preventing water from leaking during transport and making the dispensing process cleaner and more controlled.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the bucket is made sealed to prevent leakage and splashing, then protection against harmful factors is improved, but vacuum formation during ammunition pours can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is applied locally at the lid-bucket interface and at the valve connection points, rather than throughout the entire bucket. This localized sealing prevents leakage and splashing at critical points while allowing controlled ventilation through the valve mechanism during pouring operations, preventing vacuum formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing valve is designed to dynamically adjust its opening based on flow conditions. During pouring, the valve opens sufficiently to allow air entry and prevent vacuum formation, while during transport it closes to maintain the watertight seal. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between sealing and pouring operations.
3Reliability
If the bucket is made rigid to maintain structural integrity and sealing, then reliability is improved, but portability becomes challenging when filled with ammunition and water
Solution Approach 1:
The bucket incorporates a collapsible body that can dynamically change its volume and shape. When collapsed, it becomes compact and lightweight for transport. When expanded and properly sealed, it maintains sufficient structural integrity to hold and protect the ammunition and water, resolving the contradiction between portability and seal integrity.
4Device complexity
If a simple dispensing opening is used, then device complexity is reduced, but control over water and ammunition dispensing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into multiple control notches on the valve mechanism. Each notch corresponds to a specific dispensing mode: one for water-only dispensing, another for Gellet-only dispensing, and a third for mixed dispensing. This segmentation provides precise control over what is dispensed without requiring a complex multi-valve system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single dispensing valve is designed to perform multiple functions by rotating to different notches: it can dispense only water, only Gellets, or a mixture of both. This multi-functionality in a single valve component provides comprehensive dispensing control while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
An ammunition bucket may be provided for preparation of ammunition for toy blasters having greater ease of use with less mess. The bucket may be collapsible having sides that collapse in an accordion style, and the bucket may include a carrying handle. The lid may be sealed and resistant to splashing and leakage. A lower recessed port area may be provided at the lowest portion of the bucket body. This port may be a three-way drain and strain port. The lower recessed port area may include a dispensing valve with a primary control notch and a flap that provides rate control for the valve. The dispensing valve also may include a secondary control notch that limits an opening of the dispensing valve to prevent ammunition from leaving the bucket.