Inverted Taco Shell Funnel with Concave Base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hard taco shells are difficult to fill without breaking or making a mess due to their open ends, leading to contents spilling out during preparation, as existing products fail to prevent this issue effectively.

Innovation Solution

A funnel designed to fit into a taco shell with a tapered shape and elongated sides that prevent contents from spilling out by seating at the bottom and guiding them into the shell, featuring a large top opening and a concave base to expose the shell's interior, allowing easy removal without catching contents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a funnel is used to guide contents into the taco shell, then the filling process becomes easier and more controlled, but the funnel may catch and retain contents that should be deposited in the shell

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling processVSAvoidfilling contents

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a traditional funnel that tapers to a point at the bottom, this invention inverts the geometry by providing a rounded bottom that protrudes into the taco shell. This inversion allows contents to be deposited directly into the shell rather than being caught in the funnel, solving the contradiction between ease of operation and loss of substance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel has different geometric properties at different locations: a large top opening for easy content insertion, tapered sides for guiding contents, and a rounded bottom for clean deposition. This local variation in geometry optimizes each region's function to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the funnel has a narrow opening at the bottom to fit into the taco shell, then it guides contents well, but it makes it difficult to remove without leaving contents behind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent placementVSAvoidfunnel removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The inverted geometry with a rounded bottom instead of a narrow point allows the funnel to be easily removed while leaving contents in the shell. The rounded shape prevents contents from adhering to the funnel's lowest point, making removal simple and clean.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If existing stand products are used to hold the taco shell, then the shell is stabilized, but they fail to prevent contents from spilling out during preparation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshell stabilityVSAvoidcontent spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel is nested inside the taco shell, with its walls extending up the sides of the shell to act as barriers. This nested configuration simultaneously stabilizes the shell and prevents content spillage by creating internal containment walls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel serves multiple functions: it guides contents during filling, acts as a barrier to prevent spillage, and provides structural support to the shell. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by addressing both stability and spillage prevention in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the funnel walls extend high up the taco shell to prevent spillage, then contents are contained, but the funnel becomes difficult to remove without catching contents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent spillage preventionVSAvoidfilling contents

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded bottom geometry inverts the traditional funnel design, allowing the funnel to be pulled out cleanly from the bottom upward without catching contents. This resolves the contradiction by enabling both high walls for spillage prevention and easy removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10595537B2Funnel for filling taco shells or tortillas

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 GIRGENTI JOHN PAUL

AI summary

A funneling apparatus is provided that can be used in filling a food item, such as a taco shell. The funneling apparatus includes two opposing elongated walls connected on their ends by two opposing end walls. An opening is formed inside the funneling apparatus between the elongated walls and the end walls, which includes a top portion configured to receive contents and a bottom portion configured to dispense the contents. A concave section is provided along the base of each of the first elongated wall the second elongated wall. During use of the funneling apparatus with an item such as a taco shell, the concave section exposes the interior of the side walls formed by the taco shell. The end walls of the funneling apparatus prevent the contents inserted into the opening from spilling out of the taco shell.