Stirrer with Slot and Tab for Curable Resin Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective stirrers that can efficiently extract and mix curable compositions, such as silicone or epoxy resins, from squeezable containers, as existing tools often struggle with sticky or viscous materials, leading to inaccurate mixing and incomplete curing due to difficulties in measuring and mixing components within specified tolerance ranges.
Innovation Solution
The development of a stirrer with a slot configured to retain and squeeze squeezable containers, featuring a tab for easy extraction and stirring, and a scoop for mixing, made from rigid or semi-rigid materials like plastic or metal, which facilitates the removal of resin from pouches and ensures uniform mixing by scraping the container walls, allowing for precise control over the curing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing stirrers are used to extract and mix curable compositions from squeezable containers, then the stirring function is provided, but the extraction efficiency is poor and mixing accuracy is insufficient due to difficulties in handling sticky or viscous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the extraction function and stirring function into a single integrated tool. The slot configured to retain or squeeze the squeezable container enables efficient extraction, while the tab extending from the body provides both gripping capability and stirring functionality. This merging eliminates the need for separate extraction and stirring tools, directly improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stirrer is designed with multiple functions: the slot can retain or squeeze the squeezable container for extraction, the tab can be held for gripping and stirring, and the overall structure can scrape container walls. This multi-functionality allows a single tool to perform extraction, mixing, and cleaning operations, significantly improving productivity by eliminating the need for multiple separate tools while maintaining ease of operation through versatile functionality.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual extraction and mixing methods are used, then the process is simple, but the mixing precision is insufficient leading to inaccurate ratios and incomplete curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring specific features of the stirrer for different functions: the slot is specifically shaped to retain or squeeze the squeezable container for precise extraction, the tab is positioned and sized for accurate gripping and stirring control, and the body geometry enables scraping of container walls. These localized design features ensure accurate mixing ratios and complete curing without requiring complex overall tool structure, thus improving manufacturing precision while keeping device complexity manageable.
3Ease of operation
If a slot is added to retain or squeeze the squeezable container, then the extraction capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the stirrer body to include a distinct slot feature that can retain or squeeze the squeezable container. This segmentation allows the extraction function to be incorporated as a specific structural element rather than requiring complete redesign of the entire tool. The slot is integrated into the body in a way that adds extraction capability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, thus improving ease of operation without excessive increase in device complexity.
4Length of moving object
If the slot length is reduced to less than 80% of the body length, then the device becomes more compact and easier to handle, but the extraction effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the slot with specific geometric features and positioning that enable effective extraction within a compact length. The slot is configured to engage with the squeezable container at critical points, and its position and shape are optimized to provide sufficient retention or squeezing action without requiring the slot to extend the full length of the body. This preliminary design optimization allows the stirrer to maintain compactness (length less than 80% of body length) while preserving extraction effectiveness through strategic slot placement and geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A stirrer for stirring a curable composition extracted from a squeezable container may include a body extending along a stirrer axis. A slot may be defined in the body along the stirrer axis. The slot may be configured to retain or squeeze at least a portion of the squeezable container. A total length of the slot may be less than 80% of a total length of the body. The stirrer may further include a tab extending from the body, which may have a substantially polygonal contour. The slot may extend to a teardrop-shaped end facing the tab. The slot may extend along a zigzag line. The tab may be held during engagement of the squeezable container with the slot to extract the curable composition and during stirring. The body may defining a tubular section defining the slot. The stirrer may further include a scoop extending from the tubular section.