Integrated Overflow Mandrel for Bulb Cultivation Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for growing flower bulbs face challenges in ensuring uniform irrigation and are cumbersome to manufacture and transport due to separate overflow mandrels that can be lost during handling.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a one-piece overflow mandrel within the container, featuring guide surfaces that form flow channels to create a bundled water jet, which is distributed evenly by a conical lid, preventing splashing and ensuring uniform irrigation across stacked containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate overflow mandrel is used, then the overflow function can be provided, but handling becomes cumbersome and the mandrel can be lost during transport or storage
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow mandrel is integrated as an integral part of the container base, combining two previously separate components (container and overflow mandrel) into a single unified structure. This eliminates the risk of the mandrel being lost during handling while maintaining its overflow function, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If water flows directly into the container below, then irrigation is provided, but water splashing damages the flower bulbs
Solution Approach 1:
A conical lid is introduced as an intermediary component between the overflow mandrel and the container below. The lid intercepts the water flow from the overflow mandrel and distributes it evenly across the container below, preventing direct splashing onto the flower bulbs while maintaining the irrigation function.
3Manufacturing precision
If the overflow mandrel opening is positioned higher, then water level control is improved, but the mandrel protrudes above side walls interfering with stacking
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow mandrel is nested within the container base structure, with its opening positioned at the appropriate height for water level control while the overall profile remains flush with or below the side walls. This allows the mandrel to be contained within the container's external dimensions, enabling proper stacking without interference.
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 design simplifies handling, prevents water splashing that could damage bulbs, and ensures consistent irrigation, reducing the risk of rot and loss, while allowing for efficient stacking and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
The water then flows downwards through the overflow spike, preferably striking the conical lid of another identically designed overflow spike inside the corresponding container. This lid then distributes the water, essentially without splashing, into the container below.
Implementation Method 2
four guide surfaces are preferably formed inside the overflow mandrel, so that four flow channels for the water are formed inside the hollow cylindrical housing
Implementation Method 3
The water then flows downwards through the overflow spike
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a container (2), in particular for cultivating flower bulbs and the like, comprising a base (3) and side walls (4) and an opening (6) in the base (3) on which an overflow mandrel (1) with a housing (10) is arranged, and the overflow mandrel (1) is equipped with at least one opening (11) on its upper side to allow a liquid to flow through it in a flow direction (F), wherein, for ease of manufacture, the overflow mandrel (1) is formed integrally with the container (2). A corresponding manufacturing process is further described.