Multipurpose Vented Funnel with Integrated Venting and Stabilizing Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional funnels face issues with liquid backup and spilling due to surface tension in viscous fluids, inadequate venting, and poor design for compact storage and user accessibility, particularly for individuals with impaired grasping ability.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose funnel with a self-venting system featuring a rectangular passageway between inner and outer walls, conical grooves to prevent blockage, and stabilizing tabs, along with a handle that allows safe air escape without spilling and facilitates easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional funnels are used to fill containers with viscous liquids, then the funnel structure is simple, but liquid backup and spilling occur due to surface tension blocking flow through the neck
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is divided into an inner funnel and an outer funnel as separate components. The inner funnel handles liquid flow while the outer funnel provides structural support and additional venting. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, preventing liquid backup while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
A vent passage is introduced as an intermediary channel between the liquid flow path and the external environment. This vent passage allows air to escape during filling, breaking the surface tension seal that blocks liquid flow through the narrow neck, thereby ensuring reliable liquid flow without complicating the overall funnel structure.
2Device complexity
If the fill hole is used for both adding material and venting air, then the funnel structure is simple, but liquid spills when air cannot escape from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is segmented from the filling function. The outer funnel includes a dedicated vent passage separate from the fill hole, allowing air to escape through a different path than the liquid enters. This separation prevents liquid from following the air vent path and spilling outside the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting function is extracted from the fill hole and implemented through a separate vent passage in the outer funnel. This extraction allows the fill hole to be dedicated solely to liquid input while the vent passage handles air escape, eliminating the harmful effect of liquid spilling during the filling process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sets of different-sized funnels are provided for different applications, then various filling needs are met, but compact nested storage is not facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The inner funnel is designed to nest within the outer funnel, creating a compact storage configuration. The inner funnel's dimensions are specifically matched to fit within the outer funnel's cavity, allowing multiple funnels of different sizes to be stored in a nested arrangement that minimizes storage space while maintaining adaptability for various filling applications.
4Ease of operation
If handles are added to facilitate grasping, then ease of operation improves, but nesting of funnel sets is impaired and handles become difficult to grasp for people with impaired grasping ability
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is merged with the outer funnel as an integrated component rather than a separate attachment. The handle is formed as an extension of the outer funnel's structure, providing ease of grasping while maintaining a compact overall form that facilitates nesting. This integration eliminates the need for separate handle components and simplifies the overall device structure.
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 funnel effectively prevents liquid backup and spilling, enables safe air venting, and allows for compact storage and secure handling, making it suitable for various applications including household and automotive use.
Implementation Method 1
a passage way within the funnel conical member and handles structure between the inner and outer walls of the said invention... designed to rapidly vent air or gas in a safe manner from a container being filled
Data Source
AI summary
A multipurpose vented funnel is a device for funneling liquid, wherein the device includes a conical hollow body having open top end directed into an outlet spout end, with an inner and outer wall wherein the inner wall of the conical hollow body includes a linear pattern of grooves extending vertically from the bottom of the overflow guard and ended at the spout opening. The conical hollow body has a handle with is integrated and part of tubular rectangular vent passageway structure for the venting of air or gas from a reservoir and/or container. In addition, a plurality of stabilizer tabs outwardly project from the down spout for the stable supporting of a containers.