US20020074247A1

US20020074247A1 - Folding funnel and its storage case

Info

Publication number: US20020074247A1
Application number: US09/740,426
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian Tremblay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-19
Filing date: 2000-12-19
Publication date: 2002-06-20

Abstract

A collapsible funnel and a storage case therefor, the collapsible funnel having a base and an upper portion, the upper portion being formed of a plurality of segments divided by fold lines to permit the segments to be folded inwardly, the base portion being formed of at least first and second base portion sections, the storage case having a polygonal cross sectional configuration corresponding to the polygonal configuration of the upper portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to funnels and more particularly to a folding funnel in combination with its storage case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The usefulness of funnels cannot be underrated. These simple instruments play an important role in modem kitchens, laboratories, industrial work environments and numerous other situations that require the transfer of liquids from one container to the next.

The funnel that is commonly used today is a simple one-unit piece that has an open cone shaped top portion attached to a generally tube shaped portion at the lower smaller end of the cone. Although quite effective for liquid transfer, these funnels require special and relatively large storage accommodations and are not easily transportable.

There are a variety of collapsible funnels that are stored within the liquid receptacle openings and may be withdrawn when the cap of said receptacle is removed. These funnels are limited in that they can only be used with the liquid container in which they are stored. Other limitations of these funnels in that they may sometimes jam within the receptacle may be difficult to remove or may cause spillage to the surrounding environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a folding funnel in combination with its storage case that obviates the above mentioned disadvantages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a folding funnel in combination with its storage case that is storable and transportable independently of a liquid receptacle.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a folding funnel in combination with its storage case that is optimally ventilated at both ends which is advantageous for the drying of any residual liquid.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a folding funnel in combination with its storage case that have a funnel with a size adjustable to fit spatially restricted access to liquid receptacle openings.

Each of the foregoing advantages of the present invention is achieved with a relatively simple structure which is simple to use, effective and may be manufactured in a cost effective manner.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a collapsible funnel and a storage case therefore, the collapsible funnel comprising a base portion and an upper portion, the upper portion being formed of a plurality of segments, a fold line intermediate each of the segments to permit the segments to be folded inwardly to have a polygonal configuration, the upper portion having a conical configuration with a smaller end thereof being connected to the base portion, the base portion having at least a first base portion section and a second base portion section, each of the first and second base piece sections interengaging with one another; and the storage case having a polygonal cross sectional configuration, corresponding to the polygonal configuration of the upper portion.

The funnel may be formed of any suitable material and preferably is formed of a plastic material.

In one embodiment, the funnel is provided with a handle member extending outwardly from the upper portion. When in a storage configuration, the handle is designed to fit within a slot formed in the storage case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the annexed drawings, like reference characters indicate like elements throughout. [0013]
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a folding funnel and its storage case according to the present invention, showing the funnel in an open configuration; [0014]
FIG. 2 is a top view of the funnel in a storage case; [0015]
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the funnel and storage case; [0016]
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the funnel; [0017]
FIG. 5 is a top view of the storage case; [0018]
FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of a further embodiment of the invention showing a lower portion of the funnel; and [0019]
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating a still further embodiment of the lower portion of the funnel.[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the annexed drawings a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be herein described. [0021]
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of the present invention which includes a [0022] folding funnel 12 in combination with its storage case 14 (FIG. 3) in an open configuration ready to be utilized for liquid (or fluid) transfer to a bottle B.
The [0023] folding funnel 12 preferably includes an upper section 16 having an upwardly open conical configuration and a generally tube shaped lower section 18 secured to the lower smaller end 20 of the upper section 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper section 16 is adapted to be folded inwardly into an essentially tube shape storage configuration. The lower section 18 is essentially a continuation of the upper section 16 when in storage configuration.
The [0024] storage case 14 is adapted to receive the funnel 12 when it is in storage configuration. Accordingly, the case 14 has wall segments 17 which taper inwardly towards its bottom, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Storage case 14 has a polygonal cross section with a bottom wall 41.
Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the [0025] upper section 16 of the funnel 12 is made out of a plurality of generally rectangular segments 22, being connected to each other via a pair of generally triangular segments 24 adapted to be inwardly folded into two symmetrical parts via fold line 26. The rectangular segments 22 are adapted to define the generally tubular shape when in a storage configuration with the triangular segments 24 folded inwardly.
The [0026] rectangular segments 22 are secured to the lower section 18 via other weakening lines 30. Also, fold lines 26 and 30 are continuous in order to prevent any liquid from leaking from the funnel 12.
As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5, the [0027] lower section 18 of the funnel 12 includes a plurality of wall segments 32 connected to each other.
Preferably, there is a corresponding [0028] rectangular segment 22 of the upper section 18 for each respective wall section 17 of the storage case 14—i.e. each has the same polygonal configuration. It will be noted that the width of each segment 17 is greater than the width of rectangular segment 22.
Additionally, the [0029] funnel 12 includes a handgrip member 36, preferably outwardly located on the periphery of the upper section 16, for easy removal and insertion of the funnel 12 from and into the storage case 14 respectively. Storage case 14 has a corresponding slot opening 38 adapted to be engaged by the handgrip 36 when in storage configuration, as shown in FIG. 6.
To permit air circulation inside the [0030] storage case 14 for completely drying up the funnel 12 from any residual liquid, the storage case 14 preferably includes a ventilation opening 40 in bottom wall 41. This opening 40 also assists in the molding process when the funnel 12 and its storage case 14 are made out of thermoplastic material.
Turning to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a somewhat modified embodiment of the [0031] lower section 18′ of a funnel. As may be seen, the lower section is divided into two portions, the upper portion defined by wall segments 17′ and the lower section being defined by wall segments 17″. A tapered portion 19 of the upper portion is designed to fit within the lower portion with a sealing ring 21 extending thereabout.
In the embodiment of FIG. 7, there is provided three such portions forming [0032] lower section 18″.
Although the present invention of an folding funnel in combination with its storage case has been described with a certain degree of particularity it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiment described and illustrated herein but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. [0033]

Claims

I claim:

1. In combination, a collapsible funnel and a storage case therefore, said collapsible funnel comprising:

a base portion and an upper portion, said upper portion being formed of a plurality of segments, a fold line intermediate each of said segments to permit said segments to be folded inwardly to have a polygonal configuration, said upper portion having a conical configuration with a smaller end thereof being connected to said base portion;

said base potion having at least a first base portion section and a second base portion section, each of said first and second base piece sections interengaging with one another; and

said storage case having a polygonal cross sectional configuration, corresponding to the polygonal configuration of the upper portion.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said segments forming said upper portion comprise rectangularly shaped segments and triangularly shaped segments, with each rectangularly shaped segment having two triangularly shaped segments on each side thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said storage case includes a ventilation opening at a lower end wall thereof.

4. The combination of claim 2 further including a handle extending outwardly from one of said rectangularly shaped segments, and a slot formed in a side wall of said storage case to receive said hand.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said storage case has a plurality of side walls forming a polygonal configuration and a bottom wall, a drainage aperture being formed in said bottom wall.