Container with mixing blade and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for separately storing and mixing substances, such as liquids and powders, often fail to effectively prevent premature mixing and require complex mechanisms for controlled release and agitation.
Innovation Solution
A container system featuring a main container for one substance, a storage repository for another, and a mixing blade with openings that allows for controlled mixing by removing a releasable liner, enabling agitation to combine the substances efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a releasable liner is used to seal the storage repository, then premature mixing is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into a separate releasable liner component that can be independently removed. The liner acts as a distinct barrier between the liquid in the main container and the powder in the storage repository, allowing reliable separation without complex integrated mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing barrier is extracted as a separate removable liner rather than being integrated into the container structure. This extracted liner can be simply pulled out to initiate mixing, providing reliable separation prevention without adding mechanical complexity to the release mechanism.
2Productivity
If a mixing blade with openings is used, then mixing efficacy is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing blade incorporates openings that function similarly to porous structures, allowing liquid to pass through while facilitating mixing. The openings enable the blade to effectively blend powder and liquid without requiring complex mechanical mixing components.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a solid blade that mechanically stirs, the design uses a blade with openings that allows the liquid flow itself to perform the mixing action. The blade structure is inverted from a traditional solid mixing element to one that facilitates fluid-driven mixing.
3Reliability
If the storage repository lip has a smaller diameter than the main container opening, then separation is maintained, but the volume of the storage repository is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The storage repository with its smaller lip diameter is nested within the larger main container structure. This nesting arrangement maintains proper separation between the powder storage area and liquid container while utilizing the available space efficiently within the overall container system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A container system 10 for separately storing and mixing two or more substances. The container system 10 comprises a mixing container having a main container 100 that stores one or more first substances. The main container 100 has a first upper opening. The container system 10 also includes a storage repository 17 coupled to main container 100, and which stores one or more second substances. The storage repository 17 includes a lip 18 defining a second upper opening, which has an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the first upper opening. Additionally, the container system 10 includes a mixing blade 200 having an outside diameter smaller than the diameter of the first upper opening. The mixing blade 200 also has a plurality of openings 210 and a non-vertical wall portion adjacent said plurality of openings. The container system 10 includes a releasable liner 25 placed over the storage repository's lip 18, and the storage repository's lip 18 forms a seal with a lower surface of the releasable liner 25.