Cup Assembly with Shaker Ball for Touch-Up Paint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paint containers for touch-up purposes are inconvenient due to the need for separate stirrers, wasteful as they require opening large containers, and prone to paint drying due to exposure to air, making the touch-up process time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A cup assembly with a fluid reservoir, airtight lid, and a shaker ball for mixing paint, eliminating the need for separate stirrers and maintaining paint freshness by preventing air exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large one gallon paint container is used, then sufficient paint volume is available, but it is inconvenient and time consuming to open and use for small touch-up jobs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint volumeVSAvoidconvenience of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The large paint container is segmented into a permanent storage container and a separate portable cup assembly. The cup assembly can be filled with the required amount of paint (e.g., 4-6 ounces) from the larger container, allowing users to have sufficient paint volume available while conveniently using only the needed amount for small touch-up jobs without opening the entire gallon container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a large paint container is frequently opened for touch-up jobs, then paint is accessible, but exposure to air increases and decreases the useful life of the paint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of paintVSAvoiduseful life of paint

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the paint storage into a sealed permanent container and a separate portable cup, the system allows users to keep the main paint supply sealed and preserve its useful life, while only opening the cup assembly when paint is needed for touch-up work.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cup assembly is prepared in advance by filling it with the required amount of paint and sealing it with an airtight lid before use. This preliminary action ensures that the paint in the cup is protected from air exposure until the moment it is needed, preserving its useful life while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If a separate paint stirrer or paddle is used to mix paint in a large container, then paint is agitated, but the touch-up process becomes more inconvenient and time consuming due to cleaning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaint mixing capabilityVSAvoidconvenience of touch-up process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stirring function is merged with the cup assembly by incorporating a shaker ball directly into the cup. This integration eliminates the need for separate stirrers or paddles, as the shaker ball can be shaken within the cup to mix the paint, and then disposed of or cleaned easily without requiring separate cleaning tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shaker ball is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. After use, the shaker ball can be discarded or quickly cleaned, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable stirrers that require thorough cleaning and maintenance, thereby simplifying the touch-up process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Ease of operation

If a cup assembly with integral stirring means is used, then separate stirrers are not required, but the cup design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidcup assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cup assembly allows for convenient, efficient mixing and storage of touch-up paint, preventing drying and reducing the need for additional cleaning tools, facilitating easy application to interior surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a shaker ball disposed inside the fluid reservoir of the cup portion, the shaker ball configured to agitate the volume of touch-up paint in the fluid reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAgitation: Stirring

Implementation Method 2

a lid portion, the lid portion configured to matingly engage with the cup portion in a substantially airtight manner so as to prevent the volume of touch-up paint from solidifying

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirtight sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10232972B1Cup assembly for holding touch-up paint and a method of using the same

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 DZ INNOVATION INC

AI summary

A cup assembly for holding touch-up paint is disclosed herein. The cup assembly includes a cup portion with a fluid reservoir configured to hold a volume of touch-up paint; a lid portion configured to matingly engage with the cup portion in a substantially airtight manner so as to prevent the volume of touch-up paint from solidifying; and a shaker ball disposed inside the fluid reservoir of the cup portion, the shaker ball configured to agitate the volume of touch-up paint in the fluid reservoir. A method of applying touch-up paint, which utilizes the cup assembly, is also disclosed herein.