Vented Funnel Design for Viscous Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art funnels are unstable and inefficient for transferring viscous liquids, leading to messy spills and wasted fluid, especially when transferring cooking oil between containers with large and small openings, due to their inability to handle viscous fluids effectively and the introduction of air bubbles during transfer.
Innovation Solution
A vented funnel design with a base portion, converging portion, and vent portion featuring multiple vent openings and ribs to allow air displacement, along with a nozzle portion that minimizes material usage and prevents liquid from being sucked back into the vent, ensuring efficient transfer of viscous liquids while maintaining stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional funnel is used to transfer viscous liquids, then the funnel structure is simple, but the transfer efficiency is poor and spills occur
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel is divided into distinct functional segments: a stable base portion with flat bottom for stability, a converging portion for fluid guidance, and a vent portion with openings for air escape. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function, improving overall transfer efficiency while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The vent portion acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates air displacement during liquid transfer. By providing dedicated air escape paths through vent openings, it mediates the interaction between incoming liquid and trapped air, preventing spills and improving transfer efficiency without compromising funnel stability
2Productivity
If vents are added to help air escape during filling, then air displacement improves, but the funnel neck is interfered with and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent openings are integrated directly into the wall structure of the funnel body, merging the venting function with the existing funnel structure. This eliminates the need for separate vent components, reducing manufacturing complexity while effectively displacing air during viscous fluid transfer
Solution Approach 2:
Vent openings are strategically positioned in specific locations where air accumulation is most problematic, rather than uniformly distributing vents throughout the funnel. This localized approach optimizes air displacement for viscous fluid transfer while minimizing interference with the funnel neck and reducing manufacturing complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the funnel is designed for small neck openings, then it works for low-viscosity liquids, but it fails to efficiently transfer viscous liquids like cooking oil
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel design incorporates a broad base portion that can accommodate various container opening sizes, while the converging portion efficiently guides viscous liquids. The vent portion adds multi-functionality by handling air displacement, making the funnel universally applicable to different containers while maintaining high transfer efficiency for viscous liquids
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 vented funnel design facilitates stable and efficient transfer of viscous liquids by allowing air to escape through vent openings, reducing spills and material waste, and preventing liquid from being expelled through the vent, thus addressing the inefficiencies of prior art funnels.
Implementation Method 1
air within the container flows through the vent openings when liquid discharged from the converging portion displaces air in the container
Data Source
AI summary
A vented funnel for transferring liquid from one container to another includes a base portion adapted for connection to the container, a converging portion connected to the base portion, and a vent portion located between the base portion and the converging portion. The vent portion has a plurality of vent openings extending between the base portion and the converging portion and a plurality of ribs located between the vent openings so that each vent opening is separated from an adjacent vent opening by one of the plurality of ribs. In this manner, air within the container flows through the vent openings when liquid discharged from the converging portion displaces air in the container. The ribs extend between the base portion and the converging portion so that the ribs solely support the converging portion on the base portion while defining the vent openings.