Collapsible Water Bottle With Segmented Nozzle And Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification devices are not suitable for use on the move due to lack of rigidity, making it difficult to drink from them, and often require unnatural drinking actions like suction or pressure to dispense water, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible water bottle with a deformable funnel-shaped nozzle and a removable filter holder that creates a fluid-tight seal during filling and allows unobstructed dispensing, enabling natural drinking and easy transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible bag with a filter element is used, then the device is easy to transport, but it lacks rigidity making it difficult to lift and dispense water without spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional parts: a flexible collapsible bag for storage and transport, and a rigid nozzle assembly for dispensing. The rigid nozzle is attached to the flexible bag, combining the advantages of both rigidity for controlled dispensing and flexibility for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flexible bag and rigid nozzle into a single integrated device. The rigid nozzle assembly is permanently attached to the flexible bag opening, creating a hybrid structure that leverages both material properties for optimal performance.
2Reliability
If the filter element is located in the water flow path during dispensing, then filtration is maintained, but pressure must be applied to the nozzle to obtain sufficient flow rate requiring unnatural drinking actions
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid path is segmented into two separate paths: one for filling (through the filter) and one for dispensing (bypassing the filter). The filling port and dispensing nozzle are spatially separated, allowing independent optimization of each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is extracted from the dispensing flow path while remaining in the filling flow path. This is achieved by providing separate inlet and outlet ports, allowing the filter to be bypassed during dispensing operation.
3Strength
If a rigid bottle with a filter device in the cap is used, then the bottle has rigidity facilitating holding and lifting, but the drinking action required to dispense water is unnatural due to filter location in the flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the rigid structural function from the filtration function. The rigid nozzle provides structural support and controlled dispensing, while the filter is positioned only in the filling path, not the dispensing path.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions between two operational states: filling mode where the filter is active, and dispensing mode where the filter is bypassed. The flow path dynamically switches between these modes based on operational requirements.
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
The solution allows for efficient filtration and natural drinking from a portable, collapsible bottle, addressing the inconvenience of existing devices by separating the filling and dispensing fluid paths and providing a secure, easy-to-use design.
Implementation Method 1
The funnel shaped upper portion may be formed by a thin-walled sidewall so that it is allowed to deform under pressure
Implementation Method 2
at least a part of the funnel shaped upper portion is made from an elastic material, such as an elastomeric material
Implementation Method 3
The filter holder may have a fluid receiving passage forming part of the first fluid flow path in which the filer element is located when being carried by the filter holder, thereby filtering the fluid through the filter element
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
This invention concerns a fluid purification device. The device has container, a nozzle and a removable filter element. The container is preferably a bottle and has at least partially flexible sidewalls so that it is collapsible from a first, operative condition into a second, inoperative condition. The nozzle is connectable to the container and defines a first fluid flow path along which fluid flows when, in use, filling the container and a second fluid flow path along which fluid flows when, in use, dispensing fluid from the container. The removable filter element is carried by the nozzle such that it is positioned in the first fluid flow path so that the fluid is filtered when filling the container and positioned outside the second fluid flow path so that the flow of fluid is unobstructed by it when dispensing fluid from the container. The invention also concerns a method of filtering a fluid.