Patent Application
20140238538
The present invention relates to the field of collection of viscous fluids, whether in a kitchen or automobile environment.
Often times, a funnel is used to transfer fluids from a container into another receptacle. This may include the transfer of automobile oil to the engine of the automobile. Alternatively, cooking fluids are often times required to be transferred from a large container into a smaller container.
The concept is the same in either environment in that a fluid is transferred by a funnel through a large intake opening into a small outlet opening for communication with a downstream receptacle. When this transfer is complete, the funnel used often collects a residue of fluid between the funnel's larger intake opening and its smaller outlet opening. Unless a cloth or paper towel is used to clean the interior of the funnel, the fluid collects in the funnel and is ultimately allowed to drip from the outlet opening.
This residual fluid then must be dealt with after the fluid has been allowed to be transferred to an unintended location. In addition, if a transfer tube remains connected to the outlet opening, the free end of the tube is also allowed to transfer residual fluid along an unintended path.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to collect all residual fluid remaining in the interior of a funnel between an inlet opening and an outlet opening.
This object is obtained by a funnel having a collection area disposed at one end of the funnel. A base surface of the collection area is flat. A flange surrounding the inlet opening is positioned spaced from the collection area. When the funnel is placed in a vertical orientation with the base surface of the collection area contacting a horizontal surface, a lowermost edge of the flange surrounding the inlet opening is aligned with the base surface of the collection area. The funnel is thereby supported in a vertical orientation on the horizontal surface by two contact points.
In this position, the residual fluid in the funnel is transferred by gravity to collect within the collection area. No residual fluid is allowed to escape from the interior of the funnel. A hanging opening is provided in the upper portion of the flange for hanging of the funnel on a hook or nail protruding from a vertical surface.
Accordingly, it is another object of the present invention to provide a collection funnel for collecting residual fluid contained between an inlet opening and an outlet opening so as to prevent the escape of residual fluid from the funnel.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a collection funnel for collecting residual fluid contained between an inlet opening and an outlet opening so as to prevent the escape of residual fluid from the funnel with the funnel including a collection area at a base portion of the funnel for collecting the residual fluid.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a collection funnel for collecting residual fluid contained between an inlet opening and an outlet opening so as to prevent the escape of residual fluid from the funnel with the funnel including a collection area at a base portion of the funnel for collecting the residual fluid with the collection area defining a base surface to support the funnel in a vertical orientation when the funnel is placed upon a horizontal surface.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a collection funnel for collecting residual fluid contained between an inlet opening and an outlet opening so as to prevent the escape of residual fluid from the funnel with the funnel including a collection area at a base portion of the funnel for collecting the residual fluid with the collection area defining a base surface to support the funnel in a vertical orientation when the funnel is placed upon a horizontal surface with the base surface of the collection area cooperating with a lower most surface of a flange surrounding the inlet opening to stabilize the funnel in a vertical orientation at two contact points.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the invention disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance.
In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
With reference to the drawings, in general, and to
As shown in
The collection area 18 is positioned at one end of the funnel to provide a bumped out portion of a funnel which is used to collect residual fluid in the funnel and stabilize the funnel in a vertical orientation. The depth of the collection area, below an uppermost edge of flange 22 is approximately ⅛ to ¼ of an inch. The width of the collection area is approximately three inches tapering down to a width of 1½ inches. The sidewalls of the collection area generally follow and are aligned with the converging sidewalls of the remainder of the body.
As shown in
Alternatively, the funnel may be positioned along a vertical surface by passage of a nail or hook through an opening 40 in an upper portion 42 of the flange 22. In this instance, the flange 22, surrounding the inlet opening 14, functions to stabilize the funnel in a vertical orientation against a vertical surface for collection of residual fluid in the collection area 18.
As can be seen in the figures, collection area 18 has a depth of ¼ to ½ inch below the inner edge 50 of flange 22. This forms a recess for collection of a significant quantity of residual fluid, if necessary. By having a narrow gap 54 between the flange 22 and the collection area 18, the funnel 10 is very stable when positioned on a flat horizontal surface. A width of the gap 52 is approximately ½ inch.
In addition, outlet opening 16 is of a conical shape, tapering inwardly from the interior of the funnel towards its opening. A longitudinal axis 50 of the outlet opening is spaced approximately 1½ inches above the bottom surface 26.
The outlet opening is positioned at an angle with respect to the bottom surface 26 of the collection area 18. Typically, the angle of inclination ∝ is between 10° and 20°. This assists in the return of residue droplet 38 by gravity to the collection area 18.
The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
