Patent ID: 6341631
Filing Date: 2002-01-29
Classification: B67C

Abstract:
A controllable funnel assembly comprising:a funnel having a tapered single discharge tube of substantially circular cross-section tapering from a tube inlet end to a tube outlet end said discharge tube having a longitudinal axis between the inlet end and outlet end substantially longer in length than the diameter of the inlet end; an occluding element having at least a substantially spherical lateral surface placed in the discharge tube and being operably related to the discharge tube to form a seal with the inside of the discharge tube, the substantially spherical lateral surface of the occluding element having a diameter greater than a diameter of the tube outlet and less than a diameter of the tube inlet; a single actuator rod having a first end secured to said occluding element and a second end extending through said tube outlet, and wherein said occluding element is constructed of formable material to aid in its attachment to said actuator rod and wherein said occluding element has a resilient outer surface to aid in forming a seal between said occluding element and said inner surface of said tapered discharge tube, and wherein said actuator rod is made of at least one of a stiff bendable material to allow bending of the actuator rod to prevent removal of the occluding element and actuator rod from said tapered discharge tube, and a flexible material having form memory to allow assembly of the occluding element and actuator rod into said tapered discharge tube.