Fluid funnelling device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking vessel spouts are difficult to clean, leading to the buildup of dirt and bacteria, and can obstruct natural oral action, potentially causing physical and speech problems in children.
Innovation Solution
A fluid funneling device with a funnel outer wall, an upper wall connected via a resiliently flexible connecting portion, and a fluid outlet that allows the upper wall to extend into the funnel cavity for easy cleaning and controlled drinking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the spout depth is increased to provide easier access for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the spout may obstruct natural oral action and cause physical and speech problems in children
Solution Approach 1:
The upper wall is designed to be movable between a first position (extended into the funnel cavity for cleaning access) and a second position (retracted for normal drinking). The resilient connecting portion enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the spout to adapt its configuration based on operational needs - extended when cleaning is required, retracted when drinking occurs, thus eliminating obstruction of natural oral action during normal use while providing cleaning accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is divided into separable components: the upper wall connected to the outer wall via the connecting portion. This segmentation allows the upper wall to be independently positioned - it can extend into the funnel cavity to facilitate cleaning of the outer wall's interior surface, then retract to a position that does not obstruct the child's natural oral action during drinking.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spout depth is reduced to avoid obstructing oral action, then oral health is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient connecting portion allows the upper wall to dynamically extend into the funnel cavity during cleaning operations, providing adequate cleaning accessibility. During normal drinking operations, the upper wall remains retracted to a shallow position that protects oral health by not obstructing natural oral action. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between cleaning accessibility and oral health protection.
3Ease of operation
If the mouthpiece internal dimensions are increased to facilitate cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than increasing the overall internal dimensions of the mouthpiece, the invention segments the cleaning function into a movable upper wall component. This segment can be independently positioned to facilitate cleaning of the outer wall's interior surface without requiring the entire mouthpiece to have larger dimensions, thus maintaining simplicity while improving cleaning accessibility.
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 device facilitates easy access for cleaning while providing controlled drinking, reducing the risk of bacterial buildup and promoting healthy oral development in children.
Implementation Method 1
an upper wall connected to an upper rim of the outer wall via a connecting portion, wherein the connecting portion is configured to bias the upper wall in a first position
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid funneling device for facilitating fluid transmission from a first opening. The fluid funneling device comprising: a funnel outer wall surrounding a funnel cavity; an upper wall connected to an upper rim of the outer wall via a connecting portion; and a fluid outlet for funneling fluid; wherein the connecting portion is configured to bias the upper wall in a first position, wherein the upper wall extends into the funnel cavity in the first position, whereby an interior side of the upper wall and an interior side of the outer wall define a funneling portion of the funnel cavity; and wherein the fluid outlet is configured to provide access to the funneling portion.