Couper
Individual Lauren Graded Assignment No. I-3
The Next Great Aggie Innovention
Topic Area 2- Invention
Due: Thursday, October 7, 2010
Team #8- Agginators
An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
Part One
General Description of the Invention
This physical drink shaker is comprised of five significant pieces that all contribute to improved
mixing qualities, ease of transportation, and simplicity in the cleaning process. The drink top
includes a rubber seal around the bottom that allows for suction and increased seal which acts as
a moderator to not permit drink contents to leak. It also has a simplistic, wide spout that screws
on to yet again protect against leaks and increases the amount of space for the drink shakers
contents to be released. The next piece is an insert mixing device that is constructed as a fan with
angled blades to assist in the breaking up of the content to allow for the proper mixing of
ingredients. The main body of the container is shaped like a cup, but the bottom has a detachable
base. The base is removable to improve the cleaning method and reduce any smells that
accompany delayed cleaning. Lastly, a carabineer is provided for convenience in transportation.
This piece is attached to the body of the drink shaker and is removable.
Visual
The Development Process
My boyfriend came to visit one weekend and accidentally left his full lunch box on my kitchen
counter. I assumed that he had been responsible and emptied the contents, which would be
stretch, but I thought this was the case. After about a week, my roommates and I started noticing
a raunchy smell coming from the corner where his lunch pail was located. After opening it to
find out what the mysterious smell was, I found rotten strawberries, a molded sandwich, and his
protein shaker with contents caked to the bottom. At that point, I had found the culprits and
began disposing of them properly. It was when I was attempting to clean out the inside of this
shaker, which was a difficult task considering the contents were caked to the bottom that I got
frustrated. This frustration spawned the idea of a protein shaker that would be easier to clean
quickly so the protein mix wouldnt sit at the bottom and build up causing uncalled for smells.
From this I began brainstorming reasonable ways in which it would be easy to fit your hand in
the container to clean and break down the particles stuck to the bottom. I realized that soaking
the container in hot water would be appropriate, but then thought about how this needed to be a
quick process for people who use these protein shakers on the go. I have seen many students on
campus that carry around these shakers to and from class as well as before work outs at the gym.
This being said, I thought it would also be important for a new and improved shaker to not only
be easy to clean, but also easily transportable. I continued concocting various ideas in my head
while at the same time remembering how my best ideas occurred when I was in my flow
relaxing in the shower letting my brain wonder. Many showers later, and a very squeaky clean
body, I was able to visualize the perfect protein shaker to solve this problem of the protein mix
sticking to the bottom of the container.
Tools
I did not use any tools to assist me in the idea forming process or creation of my invention.
Mental Processes
Visualization
It was when I was standing at the kitchen sink, with my relatively small hand, compared
to a guy at least, squeezed tightly in the protein shaker base that I first attempted to
visualize various alternative designs. I feel like the best time to think creatively is when
you find yourself in a predicament that you think is difficult or doing something that you
feel could be simplified. This was precisely the case.
Prior to actually drawing my proposed figure of this protein shaker, I had what I thought
was a vivid picture in my head. Quite the opposite was true as I began drawing. The
drawing process allowed me to visually see what I was thinking from a different
perspective and allowed me to modify my idea on paper. I manipulated the variables that
I wanted to include in the shaker, while eliminating others. I do wish that I was better at
drawing so I could visually depict my idea in a more elaborate manner from every angle.
Analogy
I have also had a similar thought process when cleaning out an aluminum thermos that I
bought. I typically use this thermos for water, but one of my roommates decided that she
would use it for her pink lemonade bottle. While I do not at all mind that my roommate
borrowed my thermos, I did mind that she left it on the kitchen counter with the sticky
pink lemonade still sitting in the thermos and forgot to wash it out. She claimed that she
poured the pink lemonade packet in the thermos and added the water, then totally forgot
about shaking the bottle to mix the contents and then somehow left the thermos on the
kitchen counter for a few days. It wasnt until I found the thermos and attempted to clean
it that I found myself struggling to get the bottle clean. My hand just wouldnt fit in the
small opening so I attempted to shove a wet wash cloth in it and spin it around. This
really didnt help, so instead of being able to easily clean the thermos, I had to leave it
soaking in the sink for a few days. This was yet again frustrating because I wanted to
quickly clean the kitchen and ended up having to leave this bottle sitting in our sink.
Combination
I have never really been a fan of rock climbing, but I see the big wall every time I walk
into the REC. At first I tried thinking of different ways to rock climb or assist people with
their fear of heights, something that terrifies me. It is interesting to look back and see how
I was able to tie this specific instance to another idea I had when thinking about the
protein shaker. I ended up combining my original idea with rock climbing by
incorporating a particular variable, the carabineer, with my later problem when cleaning
the dirty, smelly protein shaker.
Fixation
I would say that after first reading about this assignment I wondered how I would
accomplish this task. I know that Dr. V always tells us to say positive things about
ourselves and never say we cannot do something, but I was really worried. I tried so
hard to come up with random ideas and even would just pick whatever item was I looking
at and try to come up with something that I could improve about it, but I was just so
fixated on the project that I had to complete that I didnt allow my brain to just think out
of the box. I feel that I do this a lot and even so when I am worried about a particular task
I have to accomplish within a specific limited time frame. I remember also learning that
stress blocks creativity. I had to force out the time frame crunch of this project after first
reading about this assignment and turn on my thinking cap and write down any ideas in
my Creativity Journal.
Incubation
I experienced the incubation process when trying to figure out a creative way that I could
clean the bottom of my boyfriends protein shaker. I took a break from being so fixated
on the problem by continuing with my typical day. I was not sure if this would actually
be the final invention that I would select so I allowed my brain to wonder and accepted
any ideas that popped into my brain, taking note of them in my Creativity Journal. I use
my journal to note anything I think about during the day. I have never had a journal of
any sort before and I feel as though I have thought of some random ideas and been able to
note them because I either have this journal with me in classes or I use my cell phone to
text myself ideas that I brainstorm. I find that writing about my life and the interesting
things going on causes my brain to wonder and actually allows me to think about deep
things.
Non-obviousness
I think that my invention is one that will be of assistance to students or others who already
currently use a protein shaker, but are looking for a speedy and simple way to clean their shakers
of the protein build up to reduce the likelihood of bad smells. By this I mean that when protein
mix is left in a shaker for an extended period of time, it has a tendency to start smelling bad and
possibly mold. Basically, it reeks when this happens. This being said, I feel like for the students
who use this protein shaker, that this would be a common complaint unless they are responsible
and immediately clean their dirty containers. I highly doubt this is the case among college
students, but I could be mistaken. I am very surprised though that a protein shaker with this
concept has not been invented yet. Therefore, on a scale from 1-100, I rate my invention a 60.
Part Two
Prior Works Collection
Needs
Various online reviews that consumers post express common concerns about the protein shakers
they use because of their inconsistency and lack of pertinent qualities in one or more areas. To be
more specific, common complaints are that the lid flaps and hits them in the face, that the lid
does not stay closed while in their gym bags because it is just a pop-top, and also that they are
difficult to clean especially after forgetting them in your gym bag. I wanted to come up with an
invention that not only eliminated these problems but also invigorated consumers and
encouraged them to go out and make this purchase. I want them to share with friends about
personal experiences through positive word of mouth. The needs that many of these consumers
expressed are the primary drivers for my invention.
Resources
It was important to pinpoint exactly what resources I would need in order to construct my
invention. One of the most important resources is the plastic necessary to mold these protein
shakers. I feel as though recycling and minimizing a companys footprint on the earth is of
increased importance to many companies so I too wanted to play off of this idea. Each protein
shaker would be made of other recycled plastics. When researching I found that plastic is
typically not recycled into the same type of plastic. From this, I thought it would be great to set
up different bins on campus where students were able to contribute any plastics to aid in the
process of making these products. This would cut costs as not as much material would need to be
purchased. I would also need rubber to alleviate the concern of many purchasers of this product
who feel that leaking is a problem. The rubber would be used along the rim of the very bottom
piece of the shaker acting as a sealant to not allow any of the mixture to be released. Lastly, a
manufacturing facility that would allow for the generation of this product would also be essential
and critical. This facility would need to encompass some sort of assembly line or conveyor belt
that would assist in the molding of each piece of the product and then assemble the five pieces of
the product together.
Precedents
After determining the resources needed for my protein shaker, I wanted to be sure that no one
else had the same idea as me. I did however find a few ideas that were similar to mine. These
include, but are not limited to a Food Shaker and Blender patented on June 28, 1974 that is a
food storage receptacle or vessel and blender having an overall shape of configuration that is
functional to direct fluid flow patterns therein and affect maximum mixing characteristics
thereby. In addition to the noted container configuration there is also included therein a
removable blending element also of a prescribed configuration that further maximizes fluid
mixing action as the receptacle is shaken in use. This protein shaker was created many years
ago and is the simplistic foundation of my protein shaker. It contains the basic pieces and no
further additives. I feel that my invention incorporates the complaints and concerns that I have
either first hand experienced or read reviews about making it a superior alternative. I also
researched portable water bottles and found that many have been patented, but none that I could
find relating to an easily transportable protein shaker. I know that many protein shakers have
pop-top lids and that is why I decided to make mine a screw on lid to eliminate worries of
leaking. I also know that many people throw these shakers in their bag which increases the
likelihood of spillage. This yet again explains why I thought it would be a great idea to have a
carabineer that would allow users to hook the shaker onto their bags without having to worry
about spills. I could not find any patents online that incorporated the detachable bottom piece to
a protein shaker. This was exciting because I was able note that my invention was unique and
hopefully appealing to the consumer.