JP7433598B1 - funnel - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a funnel that efficiently transfers fluid from one container to another without causing it to scatter or bubble. [Solution] A funnel (1) includes a main body (2) having an input port (10) at the top and an opening at the bottom, and a flow channel connected to the bottom of the main body (2) for draining fluid. a leg (3) having an outlet (4), the outlet (4) being provided on a first side of the leg (3) and a first side opposite to the first side of the leg (3); The lower end sides of the two side surfaces are connected to the lower end (6) of the outlet (4) while being curved in the stretching direction. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a funnel.

Funnels or funnels are generally used to efficiently transfer fluids, such as liquids or powders, from one container to another. For example, in a typical household, a funnel is used when transferring soy sauce from a liter bottle of soy sauce to a soy sauce jug, when transferring boiled barley tea to an empty plastic bottle container, or when transferring refill detergent etc. to a bottle. used.

Generally, the outlet of a funnel opens at the tip of the leg in the direction in which the leg extends, that is, downward, and the fluid poured into the funnel flows through the outlet. direction, i.e., downward. Further, a funnel in which the outlet opening is opened in a direction different from the extending direction of the legs has also been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a funnel in which an outlet is provided on the side surface of the leg. In the funnel described in Patent Document 1, the fluid flows out in a direction transverse to the extending direction of the legs.

Jitszen No. 57-137198 Publication

In conventional funnels, the outlet of the funnel opens at the tip of the leg in the direction in which the leg extends, that is, downward, so the fluid to be transferred flows out vertically from the outlet while being pulled by gravity. do. For this reason, the fluid sometimes collides with the bottom of the destination container or the fluid itself, causing it to scatter or bubble. Foaming of the fluid may cause chemical reactions and oxidation of the fluid, resulting in deterioration of the quality of the fluid. In addition, the splashing of the fluid may cause stains and other unsanitary conditions.

Furthermore, Patent Document 1 describes that bubbling of fluid can be suppressed by providing an outlet on the side surface of the leg. However, even if the outlet is simply opened sideways, it is difficult to suppress bubbling of the fluid. FIG. 9 schematically shows how fluid flows when transferring fluid to a bottle using a funnel with an outlet provided on the side of the leg. Particularly if the neck of the bottle is short, it is difficult to force the fluid to flow along the inner wall of the transfer container, since the fluid does not actually flow out sideways enough. Furthermore, according to the inventor's findings, the portion that does not open downward may act as a baffle for the flow of fluid, causing the fluid to flow out while scattering, resulting in foaming.

The funnel according to the present invention is a funnel for transferring fluid, and includes a main body having an inlet at the top and an opening at the bottom, and a main body connected to the bottom of the main body to allow the fluid to flow out. and a leg portion having an outlet. The outlet is provided on a first side surface of the leg, and a lower end side of a second side of the leg opposite to the first side is curved in the stretching direction and connected to a lower end of the outlet of the outlet. It is characterized by being

In the funnel according to the present invention, the outlet is provided on the first side surface of the leg, and the lower end of the second side opposite to the first side of the leg is curved in the stretching direction. Since the fluid is connected to the container, the fluid flows out from the outlet almost horizontally in an orderly flow without scattering, and the fluid flows down along the inner surface of the destination container, suppressing bubbling and scattering of the fluid. I can do it.

Further, in the funnel according to the present invention, the lower end of the outlet may be located inside an extension surface of the first side surface of the leg. Since the lower end of the outflow port is located inside the extension surface of the first side surface of the leg, it is convenient to insert and remove the fluid from the mouth of the transfer container, similar to a conventional funnel. The outflow direction can be set almost horizontally, it is easy to clean after use, and it can be easily molded.

The funnel according to the present invention may be characterized in that the first side surface of the leg portion provided with the outlet has a substantially flat surface. Since the first side surface of the leg where the outflow port is provided has a substantially flat surface, the upper end of the outflow port can also be made substantially flat, so the shape from which the fluid flows out is uniform and the fluid is more easily dispersed. It can be made difficult to do. Further, the first side surface of the leg portion provided with the outlet has a substantially flat surface, and the upper end of the outlet is also substantially flat, so that the shape is not complicated and can be easily molded.

In the funnel according to the present invention, the outlet may have an upper end opposite to the lower end of the outlet, and a current plate connected to the upper end of the outlet. Since the outflow port has an upper end of the outflow port opposite to a lower end of the outflow port, and a rectifying plate connected to the upper end of the outflow port, the fluid easily flows out along the shape of the upper end of the outflow port. Furthermore, it can be made less likely to scatter.

The funnel according to the present invention may be characterized in that the baffle plate is also connected to the lower end of the outlet. Since the current plate is also connected to the lower end of the outlet, it is possible to suppress the dispersion of the shape in which the fluid flows out from the outlet, and it is possible to further prevent the fluid from scattering.

The funnel of the present invention can be used in the same way as conventional funnels, but it can be used to transfer fluid with almost no splashing or foaming by adjusting the flow of fluid to flow along the inner wall of the destination container. I can do it.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a perspective view of a funnel according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a front view of the funnel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a side view of the funnel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a bottom view of the funnel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional view of the funnel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the outlet of the funnel in FIG. 5(a). FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a perspective view of a funnel according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a perspective view of a funnel according to a third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing how the funnel of the first embodiment is used for transferring fluid. FIG. 9 is a drawing schematically showing how fluid flows out into a container to be transferred when the funnel of the first embodiment and the funnel of Patent Document 1 are used.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a funnel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Further, in the description, words indicating directions such as "up" and "down" are words for convenience based on the state shown in the drawings.

(First embodiment)
The funnel 1 according to the first embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of a funnel 1 according to a first embodiment. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show schematic diagrams of a front view, a side view, and a bottom view of a funnel according to the first embodiment, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the funnel 1 includes a main body 2 having a substantially bowl shape, and leg parts connected to the bottom surface of the main body 2 and extending downward (in a first direction). 3. Moreover, the main body part 2 can have an input port 10 for pouring fluid into the upper end part. Further, a handle 8 can be provided on the edge of the input port 10. Further, the leg portion 3 has a pipe-like shape in order to insert the fluid into the entrance of a container such as a bottle or a plastic bottle, thereby creating a flow path for the fluid to flow from the main body portion 2 to the leg portion 3. It is secured. An outlet 4 is provided at the lower end of the leg 3 to allow fluid to flow out. Further, in the first embodiment, the main body portion 2 and the leg portions 3 can be formed integrally.

Further, the leg portion 3 has a hollow pipe shape, and can have a tapered shape in which the cross-sectional area of the hollow gradually decreases toward the bottom. By forming the leg portions 3 into a tapered shape, it is possible to add momentum to the fluid flow and make it easier to align the direction. Further, FIG. 8 schematically shows how the funnel of the first embodiment is used for transferring fluid. By forming the leg portion 3 into a tapered shape, it can be easily inserted into the opening of the container to which the container is to be transferred, as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the first embodiment, the leg portion 3 can have a substantially rectangular cross section. Note that the leg portion 3 is not limited to having a substantially rectangular cross section, and the first side surface 11 provided with the outlet 4 may have a substantially flat shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the outlet 4 can be formed on the side of the substantially flat first side 11 of the leg 3, and at the same time, the upper end 5 of the outlet 4 can be directly connected to the first side 11. It can be the lower end of .

Further, the second side surface 12 facing the first side surface 11 can be shaped to form a curved portion 7 that curves in the direction in which the second side surface 12 extends, and is connected to the outlet lower end 6 of the outlet port 4. . Further, the curved portion 7 can be curved so that the radius of curvature becomes smaller as it approaches the lower end 6 of the outlet 4.

As described above, the outlet 4 can be formed to open in the direction (second direction) that intersects the downward direction (first direction).

FIG. 5 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a funnel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 5(b) shows an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the outlet of the funnel 1 in FIG. 5(a). In FIG. 5B, the outlet 4, the upper end 5 of the outlet 4, the lower end 6 of the outlet 4, and the curved portion 7 are all connected to the extended surface 11e of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12. The shape may be such that it fits between the extension surface 12e and the extended surface 12e.

Further, in FIG. 5(b), the upper end 5 of the outlet 4 can be located outside the lower end reference line 6e of the outlet, which is in contact with the lower end 6 of the outlet 4. In other words, the outlet lower end 6 of the outlet 4 can be configured to be located inside the extended surface of the first side surface 11 of the leg portion 3.

The flow of fluid when the funnel of the first embodiment described above is inserted into the mouth of the transfer container as shown in FIG. 8 and the fluid is transferred will be explained. After the fluid poured into the main body 2 from the inlet 10 of the funnel 1 passes through the legs 3, the flow direction is gradually changed along the curved part 7 where the second side surface 12 is curved in the stretching direction. While changing the amount, it reaches the outlet 4, and as shown in FIG. 9(a), it is poured from the outlet 4 along the inner wall of the container into which the funnel 1 is inserted.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a funnel 201 according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 schematically shows a funnel 201 according to a second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a downward rectifying plate 13 connected to the upper end 5 of the outlet 4 can be provided at the upper end 5 of the outlet 4. The downward current plate 13 can regulate the flow of fluid flowing out from the outlet 4. Note that the funnel 1 is the same as the funnel 1 of the first embodiment described above, except that a downward rectifying plate 13 is provided at the upper end 5 of the outlet 4, so a description thereof will be omitted.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a funnel 301 according to a third embodiment will be explained. FIG. 7 schematically shows a funnel 301 according to a third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the curved portion 7 can be curved in a direction other than the extending direction of the second side surface 12 shown in FIG. 5(b). As a result, the shape of the outlet 4 may be approximately semicircular as shown in FIG. 7 . Note that the outlet 4 may be provided with a rectifying plate 14 connected vertically to both the upper end 5 and the lower end 6 of the outlet in order to adjust the flow of the fluid flowing out from the outlet 4. Note that the above-described features are the same, except that the curved portion 7 has a curved shape in a direction other than the direction in which the second side surface 12 extends, and that a rectifying plate 14 is provided that vertically connects to the outlet 4. Since it is the same as the funnel 1 of the first embodiment, the explanation will be omitted.

The funnel of this embodiment may be made of materials such as metals such as aluminum, iron, copper, tin plate, and stainless steel, resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyacetal, fluororesin, ABS, and polylactic acid, ceramics, wood, and glass. I can do it.

The present invention will be explained below by giving Examples and Comparative Examples, but this explanation does not limit the present invention.

[Example 1]
The funnel 1 of the first embodiment described above was created using polylactic acid using a 3D printer, and was designated as Example 1.

[Example 2]
The funnel 201 of the second embodiment described above was created using polylactic acid using a 3D printer, and was designated as Example 2.

[Example 3]
The funnel 301 of the third embodiment described above was created using polylactic acid using a 3D printer, and was designated as Example 3.

[Comparative example 1]
A funnel 401 in the form of Patent Document 1 was created using polylactic acid using a 3D printer, and was designated as Comparative Example 1.

In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, parts that are not particularly specified are based on the smaller one (funnel 501) of "Funnel Pair (set of 2 large and small)" manufactured by Inomata Chemical Co., Ltd. as a conventional funnel. . In addition, in the first to fourth embodiments, the diagonal length of the cross section of the leg is 2 cm so that the leg can be inserted into the mouth of the 2L plastic bottle used as the container to be transferred. I tried to lower it.

[Comparative example 2]
Comparative Example 2 was prepared using Funnel 501, which is the conventional funnel described above. Note that the diameter of the cross section of the leg of the funnel 501 was less than 2 cm. Note that the material constituting the funnel 501 was polypropylene.

Table 1 summarizes the characteristics and funnel numbers of the above embodiments.

Using funnel 1 to funnel 501 created in this way, we measured the outflow angle of the fluid, observed the outflow situation and foaming state of the fluid in the transfer destination container, and performed sensory evaluations regarding the flavor of the barley tea after transfer. A test was conducted. Regarding the materials of the funnels, there is a difference that the material constituting funnels 1 to 401 is polylactic acid, and the material constituting funnel 501 is polypropylene, but the temperature of the environment in which the tests detailed below were conducted was room temperature. , was well below the softening point of polylactic acid and polypropylene, so it can be said that the difference in the test results depends only on the difference in the shape of the funnel.

[Measurement of fluid outflow angle]
For each of Funnel 1 to Funnel 401, tap water is poured into the inlet with a wall covered with square tiles in the background, and photographs are taken of the flow of tap water flowing out from the outlet. The maximum angle between the tangent line and the vertical joint of the tile was measured to the nearest 5 degrees. Therefore, the more sideways the fluid is directed out, the greater the angle. Note that, of course, in the funnel 501, the angle is 0 degrees, so the fluid outflow angle was not measured for the funnel 501.

[Observation of leakage state]
Each of Funnel 1 to Funnel 401 was inserted into a 2L empty PET bottle, tap water was poured into it from the inlet, and the empty PET bottle was observed from outside to schematically record the area and shape of the tap water hitting the inner wall. Note that in the funnel 501, in principle, water other than splashing water does not hit the inner wall of the PET bottle, and tap water collides with the bottom of the empty PET bottle, so the outflow state of the funnel 501 was not recorded.

[Observation of foaming state]
For each of funnels 1 to 501, insert them into a 1.5L empty plastic bottle, pour 1L of barley tea continuously from the inlet, and measure the height of the foam immediately after by applying a ruler from the outside of the empty plastic bottle. did. This transfer operation was performed twice, and the average was evaluated in cm units. The barley tea used was barley tea that had been brewed overnight in a glass container from a commercially available 1L tea bag that can be used for both cold brewing and hot water brewing. In addition, barley tea was prepared using a new tea bag for each trial of transfer.

[Sensory test regarding the flavor of barley tea after transfer]
Two subjects (without informing which one) of the barley tea that had been transferred using the funnel 201 (Example 2) and the funnel 501 (Comparative example 2) from among those in which the foaming state of the barley tea was observed. Subject 1 and Subject 2) were asked to compare the drinks and judge whether the bitterness was bitter or not.

The above evaluation results are summarized in Table 2. From Table 2, funnel 1, funnel 201, and funnel 301 (Examples 1, 2, and 3) allow tap water to flow out along the inner wall of the transfer destination container, so that the tap water hardly scatters. I was able to transfer it to . Furthermore, in funnel 1, funnel 201, and funnel 301, the barley tea could be transferred with almost no foaming. Furthermore, with funnel 201 as a representative of funnel 1, funnel 201, and funnel 301, it was possible to transfer barley tea without impairing its flavor. Therefore, it was confirmed that Funnel 1, Funnel 201, and Funnel 301 clearly have an inventive step over Funnel 401 (Comparative Example 1) and conventional funnel 501 (Comparative Example 2).

In addition, from Table 2, although the funnel 4 (comparative example 1) had a slight angle in the outflow of tap water and barley tea, in the end the tap water and barley tea were scattered at the time of outflow. There was no.

1 Funnel 2 Main body 3 Legs 4 Outlet 5 Upper end of outlet 6 Lower end of outlet 6e Outlet lower end reference line 7 Curved part 8 Handle 10 Inlet 11 First side 11e Extension of first side 12 Second side 12e 2 Extended side surfaces 13 Downward rectifying plate 14 Rectifying plate connected above and below 201 Funnel of second embodiment 301 Funnel of third embodiment 401 Funnel in the form of Patent Document 1

Claims (4)

A funnel for transferring fluid,
a main body having an input port at the top and an opening at the bottom;
a leg connected to the bottom of the main body and having an outlet for causing the fluid to flow out;
The leg portion has a flat first side surface and a flat second side surface opposite to the first side surface,
The outlet is provided at the lower end of the first side surface of the leg,
A side edge of the outlet having a linear shape extends inwardly with respect to the first side surface,
The lower end side of the second side surface extends while being curved in the stretching direction, and is directly connected to the lower end of the outlet of the outlet at an inner side of the extension surface of the first side surface of the leg. funnel.
The funnel according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
The funnel according to claim 1, wherein the outlet has an upper end opposite to the lower end of the outlet, and a current plate connected to the upper end of the outlet.
The funnel according to claim 3, wherein the baffle plate is also connected to the lower end of the outlet.

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