Fluid Container Catchment Surface and Inlet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for fluids are inconvenient to fill, unstable to carry, and difficult to control when pouring, as they often require additional equipment or have unstable designs.
Innovation Solution
A container with a catchment surface for collecting fluid in a prone position and a handle for moving it to a carrying position, where the inlet is elevated above the fluid, and an outlet that resists fluid flow during filling and pouring, allowing for efficient collection and pouring without spilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container is designed to be filled in a prone position, then the filling process becomes simpler and requires no additional equipment, but the inlet must be positioned to prevent spilling when the container is moved to a carrying position
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is positioned in the vertical dimension above the expected fluid level when the container is in the carrying position. This vertical positioning ensures that gravity prevents fluid from spilling out of the inlet during transport, while still allowing fluid to enter the container from above when in the prone filling position.
Solution Approach 2:
The container geometry and inlet positioning are designed in advance to accommodate both filling and carrying orientations. The catchment surface area is predetermined to be sufficient for collecting fluid during prone filling, and the inlet height is pre-calculated to prevent spilling during carrying, eliminating the need for additional equipment or operations.
2Productivity
If the container has a large catchment surface area for efficient fluid collection, then the collection efficiency improves, but the container becomes less stable when carried in an upright position
Solution Approach 1:
The container design utilizes dimensional transformation between prone and carrying positions. The large catchment surface area (500-1000 cm²) provides efficient fluid collection when the container is in the prone position, while the same geometry creates a stable base when carried upright, as the dimensions that provide large catchment area in one orientation provide stable support in the other orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to be dynamically repositioned between prone and carrying orientations. The handle allows easy transition between positions, and the geometry is optimized so that the same structural features provide different functional benefits in different orientations - large catchment area when prone, stable base when upright.
3Reliability
If the inlet is positioned high above the fluid level to prevent spilling, then fluid containment during carrying is improved, but the catchment surface area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet positioning strategy uses dimensional transformation between orientations. When the container is in the prone position for filling, the inlet is positioned to allow efficient fluid collection across the entire catchment surface area. When transitioned to the carrying position, the same inlet positioning (which appears high relative to the fluid level) prevents spilling due to gravity acting in the opposite direction. The large catchment surface area (500-1000 cm²) is fully utilized during filling without compromising containment during carrying.
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 container allows for easy filling, stable carrying, and controlled pouring, reducing the need for additional equipment and minimizing spills, while providing a convenient and efficient method for fluid collection and use.
Implementation Method 1
a catchment surface for draining the fluid from an exterior of the container into the container through the inlet to collect the fluid when the container is in a prone condition
Implementation Method 2
The outlet can include a riser arranged so as to be elevated at least partially above the inlet in the prone condition
Data Source
AI summary
A container for fluid which includes: an inlet; and a catchment surface for draining the fluid from an exterior of the container into the container through the inlet when the container is in a prone condition, wherein the container is moveable from the prone condition to a carrying condition, and wherein the inlet is positioned so as to be elevated above a contained fluid when the container is in either the prone condition or the carrying condition. The container can include a collecting wall, wherein the collecting wall includes a flow obstacle for slowing a flow of the fluid on the exterior of the container. The flow obstacle can be provided by ribs on the catchment surface. The container can include an outlet adapted to substantially resist fluid flow when in the prone condition, and adapted to allow fluid flow when in a pouring condition for draining the fluid from the container.