Flower Water Container With Preloaded Stem Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flower containers fail to ensure consistent water contact for stems across various positions due to inadequate retention mechanisms, leading to water spillage and inefficient waste processing due to different materials requiring separate handling.
Innovation Solution
A container design with retaining means, such as radially oriented lips in the lid's insertion opening, that preloads stems to maintain contact with the water-containing medium, and uses a single material for both the container and the water-absorbent material, like injection-molded plastic with fibers, for unified waste processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If radial spokes or strips are used in the insertion opening, then stems are retained in position, but the retention effect is not continuously ensured under all positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by applying a pre-loading downward force on the stems through the lid structure before inclination occurs. This proactive measure ensures stems maintain contact with water under all container positions, rather than relying solely on passive radial spokes for retention
2Adaptability or versatility
If different materials are used for container and water-absorbent material, then functional requirements are met, but waste processing becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining the container and water-absorbent material into a single integrated component made from the same material. This eliminates the need for separation during waste processing, reducing processing complexity and cost while maintaining the functional performance of water absorption and retention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements homogeneity by using the same material for both the container structure and the water-absorbent insert. This uniform material composition simplifies waste processing operations and reduces handling requirements, while still providing the necessary functional differentiation through structural design rather than material differentiation
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
Ensures continuous water supply to flower stems regardless of position and simplifies waste processing by using the same material for the container and water-absorbent material, reducing environmental and cost issues associated with separate waste handling.
Implementation Method 1
a layer of water-absorbent material, such as mineral wool 9, is accommodated on the base 1
Implementation Method 2
the lips 5 are flexible and can turn to some extent about a base 7
Implementation Method 3
The vascular bundles take up water at the cut surface (the bottom of the stem), so the bottom is pushed into the water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A container, in which a quantity of water can be accommodated, comprises a base (1) , a peripheral wall (2) that is upright with respect to the base, a water barrier (8) provided within the peripheral wall (2) and extending towards the base (1) , an insertion opening (4) in which the stem or stems (10) of plant products, such as flowers, can be accommodated in such a way that these have access to the quantity of water, as well as retaining means (5-7) for retaining the stems. The retaining means (5-7) are designed for holding the stems (10) pressed down in the direction of the base (1) under preloading.