GB2081129A - Funnels - Google Patents

Abstract

A funnel 10 has a conical cup 12 and a stem 18 which is flexible or has a flexible portion 18b. The flexible portion of the stem may be formed with a series of bellows or as a wire-reinforced tube such that it will maintain a substantially undeformed cross-section when flexed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Funnels This invention relates to funnels for introducing a liquid or particulate solid into an orifice.

It sometimes happens that access to an orifice into which a liquid or particulate solid is to be introduced is obstructed, or that the orifice itself is so angled to the vertical that either it is not possible to insert the stem of the funnel into the orifice or to insert the stem only by tilting the funnel to an unusable angle.

This difficulty can often be overcome by the use of a funnel according to the present invention which has a flexible stem or shank. Preferably the wall of the flexible shank is so fashioned by, for example, the provision of bellows or wire bracing, that, when flexed, its cross-section remains substantially constant; advantageously only an intermediate length of the shank is flexible.

Although the invention may be carried out in a variety of ways three particular embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a funnel accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a funnel having an alternative form of flexible stem; and, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a funnel similar to that of Fig. 1 but having a square section cup.

In Fig. 1 is shown a funnel 10 having a frustoconical mouth portion 12, the upper edge of which is reinforced with a thickened rim 14 from which projects an ear 15 by which the funnel 10 may be held and which is apertured to allow the funnel 10 to be hung up when not in use. At its neck 16the mouth portion 12 merges into a neck portion 18a of a tubular stem 18, an intermediate length 1 8b of which, slightly spaced from the neck 16, is rendered flexible by forming it with a series of bellows 20. Fillets 22 are arranged around the neck 16 to allow escape of air when the funnel 10 is fully inserted into an orifice.

The bellows 20 allow a terminal portion 1 & ofthe stem 18 to be angled and/or axially displaced with respect to the neck portion 18a to permit the funnel 10 to be used where a conventional funnel with a rigid stem could not be, for example where the size and angle of the orifice dictates that the stem could be inserted only by holding the funnel at an unusable attitude. The intermediate length lab of the stem 18 is long enough to permit it to assume configurations other than a simple curve when the funnel 10 is being used to introduce a liquid into an orifice having an obstructed approach.

In Figure 2 is shown a funnel 30 which differs the funnel 10 only in that the stem 18 is replaced by a stem 31 having a neck portion 31a leading to an intermediate length 31b provided with two helical steel wires 32, 34 of opposite hand embedded in the plastics wall material thereof to provide resistance to flattening when the length 31b is bent. At its distal end the intermediate portion 31b merges into an unreinforced terminal portion 31c.

To the apertured ear 15 may be attached a spring clip or length of wire which will enable the funnel 10 or 30 to be supported when in use and thus free the user from having to employ one hand to hold the funnel in position.

As shown in Fig. 3 a funnel or industrial hopper 40 has a square-section cup 42 terminating in a rim 44 from which project about one-third of the distance along the respective sides two oppositely-disposed apertured ears 46. At the bottom the cup 42 merges into a neck portion 48a of a tubular stem 48 of circular cross-section which has an intermediate portion 48b rendered relatively flexible by the provision of bellows 50 and which terminates in a plain terminal portion 4 &

The square-section cup 42 provides a more rigid configuration for industrial purposes and allows itself to be positioned more closely and securely against a surface projecting above the orifice into which liquid is to be introduced. The positioning of the ears 46 permits a more stable fixing if the funnel 40 is to be wired or lashed in position.

The funnels 10,30,40 have the advantage that they can be produced as a one-piece nitrile rubber moulding.

An internal lip (not shown) may be provided near the bottom of the mouth portion 12 or cup 42 to retain a filter element, for example of copper gauze.

The bellows 20 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 or the bellows 50 of the embodiment of Fig. 3 may, if desired be reinforced by steel rings moulded thereinto; this is a particularly useful refinement if the stem 18,48 is of large diameter.

A tapered extension piece (not shown) may be provided to fit onto the end of the stem 18,31,48 to facilitate the filling of small orifices; in the case of the stems 18,48 the upper part of the extension is made with one ortwo corrugations corresponding to the bellows 20, 50 so that it may be snapped into engagement thereover.

1. A funnel comprising a mouth or cup portion and a stem or shank which is flexible or has a flexible portion.

2. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 1, in which the stem or shank or said portion thereof is formed with a series of bellows to render it flexible and to allow it to retain a substantially undeformed cross-section when flexed.

3. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 1, in which the wall of the stem or shank or said portion thereof is reinforced to cause it to maintain a substantially undeformed cross-section when flexed.

4. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 3, in which the stem or shank or said portion thereof is wirereinforced.

5. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 4, in which the wire reinforcement has a helical configuration.

6. Afunnel as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the reinforcement is embedded in the wall

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

Claims (13)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Funnels This invention relates to funnels for introducing a liquid or particulate solid into an orifice. It sometimes happens that access to an orifice into which a liquid or particulate solid is to be introduced is obstructed, or that the orifice itself is so angled to the vertical that either it is not possible to insert the stem of the funnel into the orifice or to insert the stem only by tilting the funnel to an unusable angle. This difficulty can often be overcome by the use of a funnel according to the present invention which has a flexible stem or shank. Preferably the wall of the flexible shank is so fashioned by, for example, the provision of bellows or wire bracing, that, when flexed, its cross-section remains substantially constant; advantageously only an intermediate length of the shank is flexible. Although the invention may be carried out in a variety of ways three particular embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a funnel accord ing to the invention; Figure 2 is a similar view of a funnel having an alternative form of flexible stem; and, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a funnel similar to that of Fig. 1 but having a square section cup. In Fig. 1 is shown a funnel 10 having a frustoconical mouth portion 12, the upper edge of which is reinforced with a thickened rim 14 from which projects an ear 15 by which the funnel 10 may be held and which is apertured to allow the funnel 10 to be hung up when not in use. At its neck 16the mouth portion 12 merges into a neck portion 18a of a tubular stem 18, an intermediate length 1 8b of which, slightly spaced from the neck 16, is rendered flexible by forming it with a series of bellows 20. Fillets 22 are arranged around the neck 16 to allow escape of air when the funnel 10 is fully inserted into an orifice. The bellows 20 allow a terminal portion 1 & ofthe stem 18 to be angled and/or axially displaced with respect to the neck portion 18a to permit the funnel 10 to be used where a conventional funnel with a rigid stem could not be, for example where the size and angle of the orifice dictates that the stem could be inserted only by holding the funnel at an unusable attitude. The intermediate length lab of the stem 18 is long enough to permit it to assume configurations other than a simple curve when the funnel 10 is being used to introduce a liquid into an orifice having an obstructed approach. In Figure 2 is shown a funnel 30 which differs the funnel 10 only in that the stem 18 is replaced by a stem 31 having a neck portion 31a leading to an intermediate length 31b provided with two helical steel wires 32, 34 of opposite hand embedded in the plastics wall material thereof to provide resistance to flattening when the length 31b is bent. At its distal end the intermediate portion 31b merges into an unreinforced terminal portion 31c. To the apertured ear 15 may be attached a spring clip or length of wire which will enable the funnel 10 or 30 to be supported when in use and thus free the user from having to employ one hand to hold the funnel in position. As shown in Fig. 3 a funnel or industrial hopper 40 has a square-section cup 42 terminating in a rim 44 from which project about one-third of the distance along the respective sides two oppositely-disposed apertured ears 46. At the bottom the cup 42 merges into a neck portion 48a of a tubular stem 48 of circular cross-section which has an intermediate portion 48b rendered relatively flexible by the provision of bellows 50 and which terminates in a plain terminal portion 4 & The square-section cup 42 provides a more rigid configuration for industrial purposes and allows itself to be positioned more closely and securely against a surface projecting above the orifice into which liquid is to be introduced. The positioning of the ears 46 permits a more stable fixing if the funnel 40 is to be wired or lashed in position. The funnels 10,30,40 have the advantage that they can be produced as a one-piece nitrile rubber moulding. An internal lip (not shown) may be provided near the bottom of the mouth portion 12 or cup 42 to retain a filter element, for example of copper gauze. The bellows 20 of the embodiment of Fig. 1 or the bellows 50 of the embodiment of Fig. 3 may, if desired be reinforced by steel rings moulded thereinto; this is a particularly useful refinement if the stem 18,48 is of large diameter. A tapered extension piece (not shown) may be provided to fit onto the end of the stem 18,31,48 to facilitate the filling of small orifices; in the case of the stems 18,48 the upper part of the extension is made with one ortwo corrugations corresponding to the bellows 20, 50 so that it may be snapped into engagement thereover. CLAIMS

1. A funnel comprising a mouth or cup portion and a stem or shank which is flexible or has a flexible portion.

2. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 1, in which the stem or shank or said portion thereof is formed with a series of bellows to render it flexible and to allow it to retain a substantially undeformed cross-section when flexed.

3. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 1, in which the wall of the stem or shank or said portion thereof is reinforced to cause it to maintain a substantially undeformed cross-section when flexed.

4. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 3, in which the stem or shank or said portion thereof is wirereinforced.

5. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 4, in which the wire reinforcement has a helical configuration.

6. Afunnel as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the reinforcement is embedded in the wall of the stem or shank or said portion thereof.

7. A funnel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said portion is an intermediate portion of the stem or shank.

8. Afunnel as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the mouth or cup portion is of rectangular cross-section.

9. Afunnel as claimed in Claim 8 and additionally comprising a pair of ears each projecting from a respective opposed side edge 6f the perimeter of the cup or mouth portion.

10. A funnel as calimed in Claim 9, in which the ears are oppositely disposed and positioned nearer one end of the respective edge than the other.

11. A funnel as claimed in any preceding claim and being a one-piece moulding.

12. A funnel as claimed in Claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to Fig. 1, Fig.

2 or Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. The features as herein disclosed,ortheir equivalents, in any novel selection.