Translucent Bucket Lid with Mixer Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lid devices for buckets do not allow for efficient mixing of contents while maintaining closure, as they either spill or do not facilitate visibility of the mixing process.

Innovation Solution

A lid device with a flat, translucent portion and a channel portion that engages the bucket, featuring a mixer opening for inserting a mixing wand, allowing mixing while the bucket is closed and preventing spills.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional solid lid is used to close the bucket, then the bucket is securely closed, but the contents cannot be seen and mixing is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure securityVSAvoidmixing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into multiple functional segments: a flat portion for visibility, a channel portion for secure engagement, and a mixer opening for mixing operations. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated lid system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides secure closure through the channel portion, enables visibility of contents through the translucent flat portion, and facilitates mixing through the mixer opening. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the single lid structure capable of performing all required operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the bucket is opened for mixing, then mixing can be performed, but contents may spill

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing capabilityVSAvoidspilling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mixer opening acts as an intermediary element that enables mixing operations while maintaining the closed state of the bucket. This opening allows the mixing wand to access the contents without requiring the lid to be removed, thus preventing spills while facilitating mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If an opaque lid is used, then the lid is durable and simple, but the contents cannot be seen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid simplicityVSAvoidcontents visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The flat portion of the lid is made translucent rather than opaque, creating a localized area of transparency. This local quality change allows visibility of the bucket contents through the lid without compromising the overall structural integrity and simplicity of the lid design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11161653B2Bucket lid assembly

Publication Date: 2021.11.02 ROBINSON RUSSELL

AI summary

A bucket lid assembly for mixing contents of a closed bucket includes a lid that has flat portion and a channel portion is integrated into the flat portion. The channel portion releasably engages a bucket for closing the bucket. The flat portion is comprised of a translucent material to facilitate contents of the bucket to be visible through the lid. The lid has a mixer opening extending therethrough such that a mixing wand is insertable through the mixer opening. In this way the lid facilitates the contents of the bucket to be mixed while the bucket is closed with the lid.