Support-Collar Funnel Structure for Stable Container Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing one-piece weighing funnels with a reduced diameter pouring neck can easily become dislodged from storage containers, leading to material spillage during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece molded funnel with a support collar that surrounds the pouring neck, featuring a diameter greater than the neck, creating a receiving channel to securely fit onto the storage container and prevent tipping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pouring neck has a small diameter to fit into the container, then the funnel can be inserted into the container, but the funnel becomes easily dislodged and may spill material
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is divided into distinct functional segments: a small-diameter pouring neck for insertion, a conical body for material holding, and a large-diameter support collar for stability. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others.
Solution Approach 2:
The support collar extends radially outward from the conical body, adding a dimensional element that increases the contact surface area with the container. This radial extension provides mechanical stability and prevents dislodging while maintaining the small pouring neck diameter for proper insertion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pouring neck diameter is much smaller than the container diameter, then the funnel fits into the container, but alignment becomes difficult and the funnel dislodges easily
Solution Approach 1:
The support collar adds a radial dimension to the funnel structure, creating a larger interface with the container. This radial extension provides visual and physical cues for proper alignment during insertion, making the alignment process easier while maintaining compatibility with various container sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the funnel have different diameters optimized for different functions: the pouring neck is small for insertion, the conical body is medium-sized for material containment, and the support collar is large for stable support and alignment. This local variation in quality (diameter) solves both the fit and alignment problems.
Data Source
AI summary
A one-piece molded funnel for transferring granular material or liquids into a container. The molded funnel includes a main body having an open interior to receive the material or liquid. A pouring neck extends from the main body and has a first diameter that is smaller than the open interior. A support collar is formed as part of the funnel and is designed to support the funnel on the storage container. The support collar has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter of the pouring neck to create a receiving channel between the pouring neck and the support collar. During use of the funnel, the upper end of the storage container is received in the receiving channel and the pouring neck extends into the upper end of the storage container. The support collar can include different diameter portions or expansion gaps to accommodate different sized storage containers.