Disposable Filtering Funnel With Expandable Filter Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing funnels have a small filter media area, leading to reduced flow rates as particulate contamination accumulates, requiring frequent cleaning or replacement.
Innovation Solution
A disposable filtering funnel with a flexible filtration media integrated into its body, allowing it to form both closed and open configurations, and made from materials like paper for economic and environmental benefits, featuring a foldable design for storage and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing funnels use small area filter media, then the funnel structure remains simple and compact, but the flow rate slows down as particulate contamination accumulates on the filter media
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is extended from a traditional small circular area to a large planar area by unfolding the funnel body into a flat configuration. The filter media covers the entire inner surface of the funnel body panels, transforming the filtration area from a point-like or small circular region to a two-dimensional expansive surface, thereby dramatically increasing the effective filtration area and maintaining high flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel body is divided into multiple panels that can be folded or unfolded. When unfolded, these panels provide a large cumulative surface area for the filter media. The segmentation of the funnel body into expandable panels allows the filter media area to be increased without proportionally increasing the compact storage volume.
2Productivity
If filter media area is increased to maintain flow rate, then filtration capacity improves, but the funnel becomes larger and less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel body panels are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, similar to an accordion or nested doll structure. This allows the large surface area required for high-capacity filtration to be compressed into a compact, portable form factor when not in use. The filter media, being flexible, conforms to the nested configuration, enabling the funnel to be stored in a small volume while maintaining large filtration area when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel transitions from a static, fixed-volume structure to a dynamic, transformable structure. The panels can be folded and unfolded to change the internal volume and surface area of the funnel. This dynamic configuration allows the funnel to occupy minimal space during transport and storage, then expand to provide large filtration capacity during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional funnel materials are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the funnel requires cleaning or replacement after use reducing economic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is designed as a disposable product made from inexpensive materials such as paper or thin plastic. Instead of being cleaned and reused, the entire funnel including the integrated filter media is discarded after a single use. This eliminates cleaning time and maintenance costs, and the low material cost makes the disposable approach economically viable. The funnel body and filter media are manufactured as an integrated unit, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling disposable use.
4Volume of moving object
If flexible filter media is used to conform to folded configuration, then portability and storage improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter media is made from flexible materials such as flexible membranes, thin films, or pliable fabrics that can easily conform to the folded and nested configuration of the funnel panels. This flexibility allows the filter media to adapt to the changing geometry of the funnel during folding and unfolding without requiring complex fastening mechanisms or precise alignment features, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while enabling compact storage.
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 provides a portable, clean, and economical filtering mechanism with increased filtration surface area, enhancing flow rates and reducing the need for frequent cleaning or replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering funnel assembly which incorporates a filtration media and which provides a mechanism for filtering particulate contamination from fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A filtering funnel assembly has an outer body having a plurality of panels. A first one of the panels is joinable to a second one of the panels to define a funnel. Each of the plurality of panels including a top edge and a bottom edge, the top edges define a funnel inlet and the bottom edges define a funnel outlet. A liner is nestable within the funnel, the liner has a top portion forming an opening and a bottom portion. A portion of the liner is configured to attach to a portion of the funnel. The liner nested within the outer body enables a fluid to enter the fluid inlet of the funnel and the fluid inlet of the filter liner and to pass through the bottom portion of the filter liner and the fluid outlet of the funnel.