Funnel with Suction Means for Dust-Free Powder Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for dosed dispensing of powdered substances from a magazine often result in dust clouds, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination when handling different powdery substances.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a funnel with integrated suction means to extract dust clouds and a metering valve for controlled dispensing, along with blowing nozzles for cleaning, ensuring efficient extraction and prevention of contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the container is tipped into a funnel for dosed dispensing, then the dispensing process can be achieved with relatively simple means, but dust clouds are released from the container causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing system complexityVSAvoiddust cloud release
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful dust cloud is extracted from the system by connecting suction means directly to the funnel. The suction means removes dust clouds released from the container during the tipping and dispensing process, preventing contamination while maintaining the simple dispensing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel acts as an intermediary element between the container and the dispensing point. By coupling the suction means to the funnel, the system captures dust at the source without requiring complex sealed container mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while preventing dust release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the funnel is used for dispensing without cleaning, then the process is simple, but contamination occurs when handling different powdery substances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing speedVSAvoidsubstance purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel performs self-cleaning by using the remaining powdery substance to blow out dust clouds through the suction means. This automatic cleaning process ensures purity when handling different substances without requiring manual intervention or complex cleaning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the remaining powdery substance in the funnel for a secondary purpose - blowing dust clouds out through the suction means. This converts what would be waste material into a useful cleaning agent, ensuring purity while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of time

If the container is removed from the funnel without extraction, then the process is faster, but dust clouds escape causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer removal timeVSAvoiddust cloud escape
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction means operates continuously during the container removal process, maintaining extraction of dust clouds throughout the entire operation. This continuous action ensures no dust escapes while the container is being removed, balancing speed with contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This approach effectively minimizes dust clouds and contamination, allowing for efficient and clean handling of powdery substances by ensuring complete extraction and cleaning of the dispensing system.

Implementation Method 1

dust clouds released from the container are extracted by suction means arranged on the funnel mouth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the funnel is blown clean by nozzles and the powdery substance blown away is extracted by the suction means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3904244B1Method and warehouse for the dosed dispensing of powdery substance
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 SMULDERS ERIC
  • EP3904244B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3904244B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3904244B1 patent drawingFigure 6~9

AI summary

In a method for dosed dispensing of powdery substance from a magazine in which containers with different powdery substances are contained therein, first the container 3 with the desired powdery substance is removed from the magazine and then a funnel 11 is placed upside down on a container 3 that is open at the top. Subsequently, the container 3 and the funnel 11 thereon are turned upside down so that the contents of the container end up in the funnel. The funnel mouth 17 is then opened for dosed dispensing of the powdery substance 4 until the desired amount has dropped from the funnel 11, after which the funnel mouth 17 is closed. Subsequently, the container 3 and the funnel 11 present underneath are turned back so that the remaining powdery substance 4 falls back into the container. Finally, the funnel 11 is removed from the container 3 and the container is placed back in the magazine.