Integrated Scoop Funnel With Valve for Spill-Free Powder Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for adding dry material supplements to narrow-necked water bottles are inconvenient and messy, often requiring separate scoops and funnels, which are not effective in a workout environment.
Innovation Solution
A combination scoop and funnel apparatus with a tapered reservoir and integral frusto-conical funnel, featuring a valve slide and cap that allows for easy measurement and transfer of dry material into a water bottle without spilling, using graduations for accurate measurement and a valve mechanism to control the flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional scoop and separate funnel are used to transfer dry material to a narrow-necked water bottle, then the transfer can be accomplished, but the process becomes inconvenient and messy with spills occurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scoop and funnel into a single integrated apparatus. The scoop body includes a reservoir for holding dry material and an integral funnel portion with a discharge aperture that aligns with the bottle opening. This merging eliminates the need to transfer material between separate tools, reducing spills and improving convenience during the mixing process
2Measurement precision
If a separate funnel is used with a narrow-necked water bottle, then dry material can be transferred accurately, but the device complexity increases and convenience decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The scoop and funnel are merged into a single apparatus where the funnel portion is an integral part of the scoop body. The reservoir provides measurement markings for accurate measurement, while the integral funnel eliminates the need for a separate funnel component, thus maintaining measurement precision without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated apparatus serves multiple functions: the reservoir portion measures and holds dry material, the funnel portion directs material into the narrow-necked bottle, and the discharge aperture controls the flow. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement and transfer tools, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Quantity of substance
If dry material is transferred using a conventional scoop, then measurement is possible, but material tends to collect in the scoop and fall abruptly causing liquid splashing
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel portion is designed to be movable relative to the scoop body, allowing it to be positioned in a retracted state during measurement and an extended state during transfer. This dynamic positioning enables controlled release of material through the discharge aperture, preventing abrupt falling and subsequent liquid splashing while maintaining accurate measurement capability
Data Source
AI summary
A combination scoop and funnel apparatus provides a scoop portion defining a dry material reservoir having an open top and a downwardly tapered conical bottom portion which terminates in a discharge aperture. A handle is joined to the scoop reservoir. A movable frusto-conical funnel member defines a funnel aperture at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. The funnel member supports a valve slide which extends upwardly through the discharge aperture and further supports a valve cap on the upper end thereof. The valve member is movable between a downwardly extending valve closed configuration and an upwardly positioned valve open configuration.