GB2081128A - Funnels - Google Patents

Abstract

A funnel which allows for the escape of air from a container over a wide range of container sizes, comprises a truncated conical portion 11 and a spout 12, the cross-section of the spout 12 and at least the lower part 14 of the conical portion being polygonal, e.g. hexagonal. The conical portion 11 may contain a snap-fit circular filter plate. The funnel may be used in combination with an extension means comprising a tube 25 having an adaptor 22 at one end for receiving the spout 11 and having a nozzle 26 at the other end for receiving a hose. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to funnels This invention relates to funnels for use in filling containers with liquids.

Such funnels commonly comprise a truncated conical portion and a spout. Various devices have been-proposed for use with such funnels to provide forffie escape of air when filling a container. Such devices provide for a clearance between the spout and the neck of the container into which it is inserted but are only usable with containers having a particular size of neck.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a form of funnel that allows for the escape of air from the container over a wide range of container sizes.

According to the invention, there is provided a funnel comprising a truncated conical portion and a spout, wherein the cross-section of the spout and at least the lower part of the conical portion is polygonical. By Polygonical as used herein is meant having three or more sides. Said cross-section is preferably hexagonal. According to a further feature of the invention, a filter may be detachably located in the conical portion of the funnel. For example, a circular filter may rest upon an annular rib formed in the wall of said conical portion, said rib having an overhanging lip beneath which the filter is engaged by snap action, the filter being provided with a finger-piece to facilitate its removal.

According to a further feature of the invention, means may be provided to enable the funnel to be used for filling containers which are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto.

Said means may comprise a tubular adaptor having one part which engages the lower end of the nozzle and another part which is engaged by one end of an extension tube to the other end of which is attached a nozzle to which a hose may be coupled.

One embodiment of a funnel according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the funnel with the filter and adaptor, Figure 2 is a corresponding plan view, Figure 3 is a corresponding underneath view with the adaptor removed, and Figure 4 is a corresponding cross-section.

The funnel comprises a short annular portion 10, a truncated conical portion 11 and a spout 12. The cross-section of the spout is hexagonal having six faces 13 and the cross-section of the lower part of the conical portion 11 is also hexagonal having six faces 14. The annular portion 10 is provided with a handle 15. Afilter 16, comprising a circular filter plate 17 supported by a ring 18, is located at the base of the conical portion 11 and is supported on an annular rib 19 formed in said conical portion, the rib having an overhanging lip 20 beneath which the ring 18 of the filter is engaged by snap action. The filter is provided with a finger-piece 21 to facilitate its removal.

The funnel may advantageously be made of a plastics material.

To enable the funnel to be used to fill container that are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto, means are provided to enable the funnel to be connected to a hose.

Said means comprise an adaptor 22 having a part 23 shaped to engage the end of the spout 12 and a part 24 for engagement by one end of an extension tube 25 into the other end of which is inserted an extension nozzle 26 to which a hose may be attached.

It will be appreciated that by providing the spout and at least a part of the conical portion of the funnel with a polygonical cross-section, air may escape from a container having a circular neck over a wide range of neck sizes.

1. A funnel comprising a truncated conical portion and a spout, wherein the cross-section of the spout and at least the lower part of the conical portion is polygonical as herein defined.

2. A funnel according to claim 1, wherein said cross-section is hexagonal.

3. Afunnel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a filter is detachably located in the conical portion of the funnel.

4. A funnel according to claim 3, wherein a circularfilter rests upon an annular rib formed in the wall of said conical portion, said rib having an overhanging lip beneath which the filter may be engaged by snap action and the filter being provided with a finger-piece to facilitate its removal.

5. A funnel according to any of the preceding claims in combination with means to enable the funnel to be used for filling containers which are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto, said means comprising an adaptor having one part which engages the lower end of the spout and another part which is engaged by one end of an extension tube to the other end of which is attached a nozzle to which a hose may be coupled.

6. A funnel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to funnels This invention relates to funnels for use in filling containers with liquids. Such funnels commonly comprise a truncated conical portion and a spout. Various devices have been-proposed for use with such funnels to provide forffie escape of air when filling a container. Such devices provide for a clearance between the spout and the neck of the container into which it is inserted but are only usable with containers having a particular size of neck. The principal object of the present invention is to provide a form of funnel that allows for the escape of air from the container over a wide range of container sizes. According to the invention, there is provided a funnel comprising a truncated conical portion and a spout, wherein the cross-section of the spout and at least the lower part of the conical portion is polygonical. By Polygonical as used herein is meant having three or more sides. Said cross-section is preferably hexagonal. According to a further feature of the invention, a filter may be detachably located in the conical portion of the funnel. For example, a circular filter may rest upon an annular rib formed in the wall of said conical portion, said rib having an overhanging lip beneath which the filter is engaged by snap action, the filter being provided with a finger-piece to facilitate its removal. According to a further feature of the invention, means may be provided to enable the funnel to be used for filling containers which are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto. Said means may comprise a tubular adaptor having one part which engages the lower end of the nozzle and another part which is engaged by one end of an extension tube to the other end of which is attached a nozzle to which a hose may be coupled. One embodiment of a funnel according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the funnel with the filter and adaptor, Figure 2 is a corresponding plan view, Figure 3 is a corresponding underneath view with the adaptor removed, and Figure 4 is a corresponding cross-section. The funnel comprises a short annular portion 10, a truncated conical portion 11 and a spout 12. The cross-section of the spout is hexagonal having six faces 13 and the cross-section of the lower part of the conical portion 11 is also hexagonal having six faces 14. The annular portion 10 is provided with a handle 15. Afilter 16, comprising a circular filter plate 17 supported by a ring 18, is located at the base of the conical portion 11 and is supported on an annular rib 19 formed in said conical portion, the rib having an overhanging lip 20 beneath which the ring 18 of the filter is engaged by snap action. The filter is provided with a finger-piece 21 to facilitate its removal. The funnel may advantageously be made of a plastics material. To enable the funnel to be used to fill container that are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto, means are provided to enable the funnel to be connected to a hose. Said means comprise an adaptor 22 having a part 23 shaped to engage the end of the spout 12 and a part 24 for engagement by one end of an extension tube 25 into the other end of which is inserted an extension nozzle 26 to which a hose may be attached. It will be appreciated that by providing the spout and at least a part of the conical portion of the funnel with a polygonical cross-section, air may escape from a container having a circular neck over a wide range of neck sizes. CLAIMS

1. A funnel comprising a truncated conical portion and a spout, wherein the cross-section of the spout and at least the lower part of the conical portion is polygonical as herein defined.

2. A funnel according to claim 1, wherein said cross-section is hexagonal.

3. Afunnel according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a filter is detachably located in the conical portion of the funnel.

4. A funnel according to claim 3, wherein a circularfilter rests upon an annular rib formed in the wall of said conical portion, said rib having an overhanging lip beneath which the filter may be engaged by snap action and the filter being provided with a finger-piece to facilitate its removal.

5. A funnel according to any of the preceding claims in combination with means to enable the funnel to be used for filling containers which are too inaccessible for the spout to be inserted directly thereinto, said means comprising an adaptor having one part which engages the lower end of the spout and another part which is engaged by one end of an extension tube to the other end of which is attached a nozzle to which a hose may be coupled.

6. A funnel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.