US2012305125A1PendingUtilityA1

Funnel to counter out-splashing of a fluid being poured through it

40
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: May 31, 2011Filed: May 31, 2011Published: Dec 6, 2012
Est. expiryMay 31, 2031(~4.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Chittaranjan N. Nirmel
B67C 11/02B67C 2011/30
40
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

A conventional funnel that has a rimmed open bowl atop a spout, to guide a fluid flow poured in from a fluid-contributing source or container into a fluid-receiving container, is improved by the provision of a curved-in lip around the bowl rim. The curved-in lip intercepts any fluid seeking to splash out of the funnel for a variety of reasons, and redirects it back into the bowl to counter undesirable splash-out. The curved-in rim, even when of very small span, is effective in countering splash-out of true liquids, mixtures of non-sticking solid particulates in a liquid, dry flowing particulates and even small sized objects like peanuts. The provision of a perforated collar at the junction of the bowl and the spout, a flexible portion provided to the spout adjacent the same junction, and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes provided outside the spout, and flutes formed in the bowl to promote Coriolis-acceleration-influenced flow, added individually or in selected combinations, variously improve the funnel further by making it more securely locatable with respect to the receiving container, facilitating venting of displaced air therefrom, and promoting fluid throughflow via the funnel.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . An improved funnel, having a rimmed bowl for receiving a flow of a fluid
 from a contributing source and, contiguous with and below the bowl, a spout for conveying the received fluid flow into a receiving container, wherein the improvement comprises:   a smoothly curved-in lip provided at the bowl rim, to prevent flowing fluid from splashing out of the bowl by redirecting the same inwardly from the rim back into the bowl.   
     
     
         2 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the curved-in lip is made integral with the bowl.   
     
     
         3 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a detachable rim element, snap-fit closely to the bowl, comprising the smoothly curved-in lid.   
     
     
         4 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the curved-in lip extends inwardly from the rim by a distance about 0.1 to 0.5 inches from the immediately adjacent interior surface of the bowl.   
     
     
         5 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an outwardly extending peripheral collar, located close to a junction between the bowl and the spout, to provide upright support for the funnel when the collar is placed on top of an opening of the receiving container during use.   
     
     
         6 . The improved funnel according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a plurality of through apertures formed in the collar adjacent to the spout to facilitate out flow of air displaced from the receiving container during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         7 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the spout comprises a flexible portion whereby an orientation of the bowl relative to the spout is adjustable.   
     
     
         8 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible concertina-shaped segment provided in the spout adjacent the bowl, to enable adjustment of the disposition of the bowl relative to the spout.   
     
     
         9 . The improved funnel according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 the spout comprises a flexible portion whereby an orientation of the bowl relative to the spout is adjustable.   
     
     
         10 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of outwardly extending longitudinal vanes that are wider at their top ends than at their bottom ends, provided evenly around the spout to enable secure fitting of the funnel to an opening of the receiving container.   
     
     
         11 . The improved funnel according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a plurality of outwardly extending longitudinal vanes that are wider at their top ends than at their bottom ends, provided evenly around the spout to enable secure fitting of the funnel to an opening of the receiving container.   
     
     
         12 . The improved funnel according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 the vanes are made integral with the spout.   
     
     
         13 . The improved funnel according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first multi-vaned slip-on element, having an open mildly-conical body shaped and sized to fit closely to the spout and provided with a plurality of outwardly extending vanes that are sized and shaped to be securely fitted into the mouth of a receiving container to support the funnel bowl in a selected orientation during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         14 . The improved funnel according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a second multi-vaned slip-on element, having an open body with a plurality of inwardly extending vanes that are sized and shaped to securely fit to outside of the spout and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes that are sized and shaped to be securely fitted into the mouth of a receiving container to support the funnel bowl in a selected orientation during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         15 . The improved funnel according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a third multi-vaned slip-on element, having an a longitudinally corrugated body and a plurality of outwardly extending vanes that are sized and shaped to be securely fitted into the mouth of a receiving container to support the funnel bowl in a selected orientation during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         16 . The improved funnel according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of recessed flutes provided in the bowl to promote Coriolis-acceleration-induced downward spiraling of fluid flow.   
     
     
         17 . The improved funnel according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a plurality of recessed flutes provided in the bowl to promote Coriolis-acceleration-induced downward spiraling of fluid flow.   
     
     
         18 . The improved funnel according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 the spout comprises a flexible portion whereby an orientation of the bowl relative to the spout is adjustable.   
     
     
         19 . The improved funnel according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a plurality of outwardly extending longitudinal vanes that are wider at their top ends than at their bottom ends, provided evenly around the spout to enable secure fitting of the funnel to an opening of the receiving container.   
     
     
         20 . The improved funnel according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a detachable rim element, formed to snap-fit closely to the bowl rim and to provide the smoothly curved-in lip thereat.   
     
     
         21 . The improved funnel according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a first multi-vaned slip-on element, having an open mildly-conical body shaped and sized to fit closely to the spout and provided with a plurality of outwardly extending vanes that are sized and shaped to be securely fitted into the mouth of a receiving container to support the funnel bowl in a selected orientation during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         22 . A method of improving the guided flow of a fluid through a conventional funnel that has a rimmed bowl communicating through a throat with a spout positioned below, from a contributing source of the fluid into a receiving container of fluid, comprising the step of:
 providing at the bowl rim a smoothly curved-in lip to intercept and return back into the bowl any fluid seeking to splash out over the rim due to unstable flow conditions in the funnel during use.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising the further step of
 providing a plurality of outwardly oriented vanes at the spout, sized and shaped to be fitted securely into the mouth of the receiving container to stabilize the funnel and to simultaneously vent displaced air from the receiving container during use of the funnel.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , comprising the further step of:
 providing a plurality of recessed flutes at the inside surface of the bowl to promote Coriolis-acceleration-induced flow through the funnel.

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