US3206083A - Aluminum funnel - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 14, 1965 NlsHlNA 3,206,083

ALUMINUM FUNNEL Filed Feb. 13, 1963 INVENTOR. DOROTHY NISHINA United States Patent 3,206,083 ALUMINUM FUNNEL Dorothy N ishina, Holualoa, Hawaii (4808 Saturn St., 'Los Angeles 19, Calif.) Filed Feb. 13, 1963, Ser. No. 258,676 1 Claim. (Cl. 222-460) This invention relates to dispensing devices for oil cans and the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a funnel device which will be threadingly received on the neck of an oil can or other can containing fluid and will dispense the fluid contained within the can without splashing the fluid.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a funnel device which will effectively control the fluid being poured from the can and will efliciently control the amount of flow by a cap means which is removable.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a funnel which will be of L shaped configuration having a handle made of magnetic metal which will enable the funnel, when not in use, to remain intact with any surface of the can thus preventing it from becoming displaced.

A still further object .of the present invention is to provide a funnel which will have an air bleed orifice to allow air to enter the can as the fluid is displaced thus allowing even flowing of the fluid from the can.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a funnel bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a funnel comprising the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a front view of the funnel cap shown in elevation and removed from the funnel shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring to the drawing, a funnel made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include an L shaped configurated body 12 having a flared end 14 which is internally threaded in order to be threadingly received by the neck 16 of the can 18 containing a liquid to be dispensed therefrom. The liquid travels through the opening 20 which is centrally through the body 12 and an opening 22 of circular configuration allows for air to be entered from the atmosphere to replace the liquid as it is being dispensed from the can 18. A handle 24 of U shaped configuration made of magnetic metal is fixedly secured to the long end of the body 12 and provides handle means for grasping funnel 10 and also provides a means for magnetically attracting funnel 10 to the metal can thus making it easily accessible when needed and also preventing it from being displaced. A hollow cap 26 of circular configuration has an extension lip 28 which provides finger grip means for removing or putting cap 26 on the end .of funnel 10. A semicircular opening 30 directly below lip 28 of cap 26 provides a restriction means for controlling the flow from funnel when it is desired and cap 26 is frictionally received over the small end of funnel 10.

In operation, the individual using funnel 10 grasps the body 12 by the handle 24 and places the flared end over ice the neck 16 .of can 18 and thus rotates it until it is secured to threaded neck 16 of can 18. Can 18 is tilted in a well known manner and thus the fluid or liquid contained within can 18 is allowed to pour out of the opening 20 in a controlled free flowing manner and as it does simultaneously atmospheric air enters the orifice opening 22 ,of body 12 thus replacing the volume of liquid leaving can 18.

When the individual desires, he may urge the cap 26 over the open end of body 12 and thus cap 26 forms a smaller orifice thus restricting the flow of the liquid and the liquid passes through the opening 30.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by letters Patent of the United States is:

A funnel for liquid containing cans comprising in combination a substantially L-shaped body of hollow configuration made of aluminum, said L-shaped body comprising an outlet portion, an inlet portion and an intermediate arcuate elbow portion, said outlet portion having an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of said inlet portion, said outlet portion being longer than said inlet portion, said inlet portion and said outlet portion being substantially cylindrical and of equal cross-sectional size, said intermediate elbow portion being relatively larger in cross-sectional size than said outlet and inlet portions, an outwardly flared inlet end on said inlet portion providing a means for receiving the neck of a liquid containing steel can, a substantially U-shaped and magnetic handle forming a part of said body providing handle grip holding of said body and a means whereby said body may be magnetically secured to a can when not in use, an outlet end on said outlet portion said outlet end having an outlet .opening said flared inlet end having an inlet opening, said outlet and inlet openings being substantially circular, a partly open cap received by said outlet opening providing means for restricting the flow of said funnel said outwardly flared end being internally threaded for receiving the externally threaded neck of said steel can thus securing said funnel to said can and when said can is tilted the liquid contained therein flowing through said body .of said funnel and outwardly of said outlet opening without splashing, said body further having a vent opening of substantially circular configuration in said elbow portion of said body providing atmospheric air entrance within said body and into the can secured to said funnel to allow said air to replace fluid and impart an even steady flow to said liquid leaving said can, said vent opening being relatively closer toward said outlet portion and relatively further from said inlet portion, said vent opening being located on the outer periphery of said arcuate elbow portion, said cap being circular in configuration and being frictionally received within said outlet opening, said cap having a tab extending radially outward therefrom at one point on the periphery thereof, said tab providing a means for finger grip holding to remove or place said cap upon said body, said cap having a substantially semi-circular outlet opening for limiting the flow of said fluid therethrough and said cap opening having a cross-sectional area which is less than the cross-sectional area of said inlet portion.

(References on following page) References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Clark 222-562 Wood 222-475 Tong 222568 Schon 222-568 X 4 830,422 9/06 Epperson 222468 1,674,596 6/28 Johnson 222-562 1,935,969 11/ 33 Withersppon 222567 X 2,254,164 8/41 Bernhardt 222468 X 5 LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, Examiner.

Images