Detachable Cuspidor Funnels for Beverage Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of practical, portable, and effective personal-sized cuspidors for individuals who use chewing tobacco or dipping tobacco, as existing small containers have small openings that make it difficult to expel saliva cleanly, leading to spills and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

The development of cuspidor funnels that can be securely attached to standard-sized beverage cans and bottles, allowing them to be used as portable cuspidors and easily disposed of after use, constructed from molded plastic polymer for rigidity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a small container is used as a personal cuspidor, then portability is improved, but the opening size is too small making it difficult to expel saliva cleanly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer sizeVSAvoidsaliva expulsion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the cuspidor function from the container by adding a detachable funnel component. The funnel provides a large opening for saliva expulsion while the container provides portability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel acts as an intermediary component between the user and the container. It provides the large opening needed for clean saliva expulsion while connecting to the portable container, mediating between the conflicting requirements of opening size and portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a larger container is used to provide a bigger opening, then saliva expulsion is improved, but portability and discretion are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaliva expulsion easeVSAvoidcontainer size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cuspidor system is segmented into a funnel component (providing large opening) and a container component (providing portability). This allows the opening size to be large without requiring the entire container to be large.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The solution moves from considering only container volume to considering the combined system of funnel plus container. The funnel adds a dimensional element (large opening) that doesn't increase the container volume, resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a custom personal cuspidor is designed, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuspidor functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel is designed to be universally compatible with standard beverage containers (cans and bottles). This universality allows the cuspidor functionality to be achieved without custom manufacturing, using instead a standardized component that attaches to existing container types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention embraces the disposable nature of beverage containers by designing a漏斗 that attaches to these temporary containers. Rather than creating a permanent cuspidor that requires cleaning and maintenance, the system uses the existing disposable container infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Duration of action of stationary object

If a permanent cuspidor is used, then reusability is improved, but cleaning and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuspidor reuseabilityVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces a permanent reusable cuspidor with a disposable container-based solution. The container is discarded after use, eliminating cleaning and maintenance requirements while still providing the needed functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of cleaning and reusing the cuspidor container, the system is designed to discard the container after single use. This eliminates the cleaning step while the funnel component can be reused with different containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS10098818B2Cuspidor funnels attachable to empty drink containers

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 SPITIT LLC

AI summary

Two embodiments of a cuspidor funnel are described, each of which may be securely attached to an empty beverage container, and then detached from the container with the container being disposed of after use. A first is attached to a standard sized beverage can while the second is structured to be attached to a standard sized beverage bottle. The can embodiment includes a cylindrical structure that snaps onto the beverage can top rim and positions a funnel neck into the opening of the beverage can typical of a press-tab opening soda or beer can. This funnel neck receives fluid captured by the angled funnel wall formed on the top face of the cuspidor funnel. The beverage bottle embodiment includes a generally cylindrical structure that is threaded onto the beverage bottle opening typical of most single serving plastic beverage bottle containers.