Shakeable container with agitator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mixing powders and liquids, or liquids of differing viscosities and densities, within a fully enclosed hand-held container is challenging due to clumping and incomplete homogenization without an agitator, particularly in applications like edible products and medicinal substances.
Innovation Solution
A shakeable container design incorporating a straw and agitator, where the agitator moves up and down within the straw, creating inertia to efficiently mix contents with reduced effort, and featuring a flanged base to prevent the agitator from becoming loose, combined with a lid that forms a watertight seal to prevent spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If an agitator is used to mix powders and liquids, then mixing homogeneity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator is nested within the straw structure, with the T-shaped configuration fitting inside the straw's hollow interior. The agitator's horizontal arms extend toward the straw walls while the vertical stem connects to the lid, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides effective mixing without adding external complexity to the container system.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing device is segmented into distinct functional components: the straw serves as the structural support and guide, the T-shaped agitator provides the mixing action with its horizontal arms, and the lid integrates the connection point. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device simple and modular.
2Ease of operation
If a free and loose agitator is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to loss or falling through dishwasher trays
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator is merged with the straw structure through the T-shaped configuration, where the agitator's vertical stem is integrated into the straw's interior space. This merging creates a unified structure where the agitator cannot separate or become loose, eliminating the risk of loss while maintaining the ease of operation through the simple shaking motion.
3Productivity
If the agitator moves freely up and down the straw, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but the agitator may become loose or detached
Solution Approach 1:
The T-shaped agitator is nested within the straw's hollow interior, with its horizontal arms extending toward the straw walls. This nested configuration allows the agitator to move freely up and down for effective mixing while the straw structure physically constrains it, preventing detachment or becoming loose during use or cleaning.
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
The solution effectively homogenizes powders and liquids, reducing effort and time required for mixing across various applications, including food and medical products, while preventing the agitator from falling or becoming lost.
Implementation Method 1
causing the agitator to move up and down the affixed straw, bumping off the bottom of the lid and the flange at the bottom of the straw, increasing inertia from the springing motion to more rapidly and fully mix the contents with less effort
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held shake-able container that includes an agitator connected to a straw that is used for the mixing of powder and liquid, or differing viscosity liquids.