Funnel Cake Batter Dispenser with Trigger Gun and Stop-Flow Ball
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing funnel cake batter dispensers require two hands to operate and lack a mechanism to prevent CO2 gas from spitting out when empty, leading to potential burns from hot oil splashes.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held, trigger-activated batter dispensing gun with a convex bottom batter container featuring a stop-flow ball to prevent CO2 gas release, a metal stand with caster wheels for support, and a drip cap to prevent batter leakage, allowing complete emptying and safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a hand-held trigger-activated dispensing gun is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases compared to manual valve operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical FIP ball valve operation with a trigger-activated dispensing mechanism. The trigger activates a valve that controls CO2 gas flow to the batter container, automating the pressure control function and eliminating the need for manual valve turning while reducing operational complexity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing gun incorporates a self-regulating valve mechanism that automatically controls CO2 gas flow based on trigger activation. The system self-regulates pressure and batter dispensing without requiring manual intervention, allowing one-handed operation while maintaining safe pressure levels through the built-in valve control.
2Productivity
If the batter container is emptied completely, then productivity is improved, but CO2 gas may spit out causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a stop-flow ball mechanism that preliminarily prevents CO2 gas from spitting out when the batter container is emptied. The stop-flow ball blocks the gas outlet before CO2 can escape into hot oil, proactively eliminating the safety hazard before it can occur during the emptying process.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop-flow ball acts as an intermediary element between the CO2 gas flow and the external environment. When the batter container is emptied, the stop-flow ball intercepts and blocks the CO2 gas flow, preventing it from reaching the hot oil and causing splatters or burns, thus mediating between the pressurized gas and the hazardous environment.
3Productivity
If the hole is moved to the bottom of the batter container, then complete emptying is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the discharge hole on the side of the batter container as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by placing the hole at the bottom. This inversion allows gravity to work in conjunction with CO2 pressure to completely empty the container, improving productivity while the convex bottom shape helps guide the stop-flow ball and maintain proper flow characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a convex bottom shape in the batter container to facilitate complete emptying. The curved convex surface helps the stop-flow ball move smoothly to the bottom hole position and maintains proper pressure distribution, ensuring complete batter discharge while managing the manufacturing precision requirements through a well-defined geometric form.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a stop-flow ball is added to prevent CO2 spitting, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop-flow ball is designed as a self-regulating mechanism that automatically blocks the CO2 gas outlet when the batter container is emptied. The ball floats on batter and moves to the bottom hole position based on gravity and pressure differential, providing automatic safety protection without requiring external control systems or complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety function is extracted into a separate, simple stop-flow ball component rather than being integrated into a complex valve system. This standalone ball mechanism performs the safety function of blocking CO2 gas flow independently, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining effective safety protection.
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
Enables one-handed operation, prevents CO2 gas from spitting into hot oil, ensuring user safety and facilitating easy movement and complete emptying of the batter container.
Implementation Method 1
a hollow, plastic, shut-off ball, which floats on top of the batter then floats down to the hole at the bottom of the batter container
Implementation Method 2
the CO2 acts as a blanket of pressure on top of the batter pushing the batter out of the batter container into the hand-held, trigger-activated, dispensing gun with wand
Implementation Method 3
the hole located at the bottom of the batter container is aided by gravity, as well, in emptying
Data Source
AI summary
A funnel cake batter or other batter container with a stop-flow ball to prevent the discharging of CO2 gas into the cooking oil, a convex shaped bottom with a centered hole for improved emptying of the batter container, an easier to operate hand-held, trigger-activated dispensing gun wand, a “J” hook to hang the dispensing gun wand on when not in use, and a cast iron stand with four legs and four caster wheels making the batter container movable within a place of operation.