Pump-Operated Straw and Container for Prone-Position Drinking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drink vessels for individuals in a prone position, such as the injured or disabled, are limited by their reliance on gravity-fed systems or valves, requiring the vessel to be placed above the user's head, lacking an integrated pump to allow placement at any height.
Innovation Solution
A pump-operated drink vessel with a body, straw, and integrated pump, enabling fluid access without lifting the head, featuring a flexible straw, cap, and a handle for easy filling and use, allowing the vessel to be placed at any height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gravity-fed systems or valves are used, then the vessel can be simple in structure, but the vessel must be placed above the user's head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-based mechanical system with an electric pump system. The pump is powered by a battery and controlled by a switch, allowing fluid to be delivered to the straw regardless of the vessel's position relative to the user's head. This substitution of mechanical gravity-dependent systems with an electrically-driven pump system resolves the contradiction by enabling both ease of operation from prone position and placement flexibility anywhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary pump mechanism between the fluid reservoir and the user's mouth. This pump acts as a mediator that actively transports fluid against gravity or without gravitational assistance, allowing the vessel to be positioned anywhere while still delivering fluid to the user. The intermediary pump system enables both the ease of operation and the adaptability in placement that the contradiction describes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated pump is added, then placement flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple components into an integrated assembly: the pump, battery, switch, and straw are combined within a single vessel unit. The pump and reservoir are positioned to work together efficiently, and the control elements are integrated into the housing. This merging approach allows the system to achieve placement flexibility while minimizing the increase in complexity by consolidating components rather than adding separate external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The vessel is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both the fluid reservoir and the housing for the pump system. The lid seals both the fill opening and the straw opening, and the battery compartment is integrated into the vessel structure. This universal design approach allows a single device to perform multiple functions (fluid storage, pumping, power supply, control) thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining placement flexibility.
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 users to drink comfortably from a prone position without lifting their head, providing flexibility and convenience by integrating a pump within the vessel for fluid access.
Implementation Method 1
A pump is coupled to the vessel body within the vessel inside and is in fluid communication with the straw
Data Source
AI summary
A pump operated straw and container apparatus for drinking without getting up from a prone position includes a vessel body having a vessel bottom side, a vessel sidewall, and a vessel top side defining a vessel inside. The vessel top side has a fill aperture and a straw aperture extending through to the vessel inside. A cap is selectively engageable within the fill aperture. A straw is coupled to the vessel body. The straw has a pump end coupled within the vessel inside, a flexible straw body extending through the straw aperture, and a mouth end. A pump is coupled to the vessel body within the vessel inside and is in fluid communication with the straw.