Abstract:
An on/off valve for a funnel having a tapered funnel outlet tube which has a substantially circular cross-section and which has a larger diameter inlet end and a smaller diameter outlet end, and features a substantially spherical occluding element in the tapered outlet tube. The diameter of the occluding element is such that the occluding element rests against the inner wall of the tapered outlet tube to close the funnel outlet tube to prevent passage of liquid therethrough and to permit the sealing at a variety of angular displacements of the spherical occluding element. The occluding element&#39;s position in the tapered outlet tube is determined by a wire-like element protruding from the occluding element out of the outlet tube&#39;s outlet end, and the protruding element extends substantially parallel to the outlet tube&#39;s axis and then bends to form a transverse arm which contacts a rim of a vessel being filled by the funnel to start flow therefrom. A method of making the funnel assembly enables attachment of the occluding element to the actuator rod before introducing the occluding element/actuator rod assembly into the funnel body.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/997,577 filed Dec. 23, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,697. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a funnel having an on/off valve or switch. The funnel is of the type having a large upper liquid holding reservoir portion at a funnel inlet and a tapered outlet or discharge tube extending from a base of the reservoir portion and tapering to a funnel outlet. 
     Many prior approaches to providing funnels with shut off elements have been proposed. However, all known prior approaches are somewhat complex and expensive to manufacture, given that they require the valve or occluding element to have substantial weight or spring pressure to assure a complete seal against a hard-to-manufacture distinct valve seat formed in the inner walls of the funnel device. 
     One such known funnel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,094,098 and features a valve  22  which is raised by wires  23  and  26 . A hook portion  28  of wire  26  is brought into engagement with the wall of a container opening to open the valve allowing fluid held in the funnel to pass through the outlet end of a funnel spout into the container. The valve or occluding element  22  of the &#39;098 patent is mounted in the reservoir portion and its sloping sidewalls must match substantially exactly with the tapered walls of the funnel&#39;s reservoir in order to provide an adequate liquid-tight seal. A further disadvantage of approaches such as disclosed in the &#39;098 patent is that the liquid in the entire outlet spout of the funnel will drain therefrom even after the occluding valve closes, thereby maximizing spillage of excess fluid when one desires to cease the exit of fluid from the funnel outlet. 
     Therefore, there is seen to be a need for a simplified occluding element which does not require a separately constructed valve seat to preclude outflow of fluid from the funnel&#39;s outlet end while minimizing escape of excess fluid from the funnel spout once the valve or occluding element has been positioned to halt liquid flow from the funnel. 
     Another problem with conventional blocking elements in funnel apparatus is the necessity to provide a variety of different type structures for connecting the blocking element to an actuator. Where the actuator and blocking structure combination is not limited in its motion, the blocking element can fall out of the funnel, become jammed, or even lost when the funnel is not in use. Where limited motion is achieved, the connectivity of the blocking element and actuator can be cumbersome and assembly can be difficult. For example, where a blocking plate has to be joined to an actuator structure where the blocking plate and actuator are configured for limited motion, the blocking plate and actuator must be assembled into the funnel area when the connection is to be made. For each connection configuration, there is a tight assembly area, where the funnel provides a restriction. This complicates assembly and drives up the cost of manufacturing the complete funnel, blocking structure and actuator mechanism. This in turn limits the structures and methods of formation and manufacture for the component parts of the completed assembly. 
     As a result, what is needed is a funnel assembly which can be constructed simply and inexpensively. The method of manufacture and formation of the component parts should enable an inexpensive, stable, and high quality product to be produced. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To meet the above described need, a funnel having a tapered discharge tube of substantially circular cross-section tapering from a tube inlet to a funnel outlet includes a substantially spherical occluding element for placement in the discharge tube, the occluding element having a diameter greater than a diameter of the funnel outlet and less than a diameter of the discharge tube inlet. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a funnel having a tapered discharge tube of substantially circular cross-section tapers from a tube inlet to a funnel outlet and is equipped with an on/off valve comprising a substantially spherical occluding element for placement in the discharge tube and having a diameter greater than a diameter of the funnel outlet and less than a diameter of the discharge tube inlet. The on/off valve further comprises an occluding element actuator having a first member coupled to the occluding element and extending beyond the funnel outlet when the occluding element is seated in the discharge tube, and a second member coupled to an end of the first member remote from the occluding element and extending toward the discharge tube inlet exteriorly of the discharge tube, and a third member coupled to an end of the second member remote from the first member and extending transversely away from a longitudinal axis of the discharge tube. 
     The preferred embodiment provides for a final tapered section in the discharge tube to operate as a valve seat and having an angle of about ten degrees from the centerline. The section of funnel above the final taper can have any angle or height but may preferably have an angle of about 25 degrees from the centerline. The higher the height of the main section, the more fluid pressure will brought down upon the valve seat. Consequently, the pressure necessary to operate the spherical element from below will increase. 
     The use of a tapered section having a circular cross section as a valve seat, in combination with a flow termination occluding element having a spherical surface, provides a system having a stable tangential sealing line despite significant angular displacement of the occluding element and its actuation member. The use of a spherical element in combination with a taper acts to eliminate the possibility of significant surface area contact which could produce jamming. The use of a spherical occluding element in combination with a taper enables a uniform sealing force to be applied between the spherical occluding element and the outlet tube substantially without regard to the angle between the actuator and the longitudinal axis of the discharge tube. Where the taper is about ten degrees, for example, the downward force on the occluding element is translated into multiplier of about 5-6 against the side of the funnel taper. Further, where the material from which at least one of the funnel and the occluding element is made is elastomeric, a single or a mutual accommodation is formed in the material which compensates for non-ideal shapes of the elements. Where the sealing element is not 100% spherical, the taper of the funnel and the force exerted can compensate for it. Similarly where the shape of the taper within the funnel is not 100% round, the force exerted by the occluding element can cause it to compensate. 
     Another important aspect of the invention is the manner of making it with regard to its simplicity. Other designs have included the necessity of forming a blocking element with a complex manner of attachment to the actuation apparatus. The occluding element of the funnel system of the invention is formable onto the actuation structure outside of its introduction to the tapering section of the funnel. As a result, it can be formed using a multi-piece mold in a configuration in which the funnel main structure is not present to block the action. The actuator may begin as a straight piece of wire, metal, rod, or plastic. In some cases the actuator may start as a pre-formed shape which can be folded to fit through the funnel outlet. Where the actuator is formable, it is dropped through the funnel outlet until the occluding element engages a seat matching a line slightly lower than its median spherical surface, the actuator is formed by bending to an extent sufficient to not allow the actuator and occluding element combination to pass back through the funnel. This keeps the occluding element from becoming lost, and since the occluding element of the invention can tolerate significant pivotal displacement, the structure which exists beneath the funnel outlet need not be concentric with respect to the actuator. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Objects and features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of a detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawings, in which 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a funnel equipped with an on/off switch or occluding element and actuator arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the end of a prepared rod or wire which is slightly flattened and roughened and which may be incorporated as an actuator; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a die from which the prepared rod of FIG. 2 protrudes and into which a material is introduced to form an occluding element having a spherical surface; 
     FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of a linear actuator and occluding element being loaded into a funnel shown in longitudinal section before adjustment to limit movement of the actuator and occluding element out of the funnel, available both with respect to a manufactured funnel system of the invention and as a retrofit for use with conventional funnel structures and with the occluding element shown at a level approximating an optimum upward extent of travel such that the area for fluid passage between the occluding element and the nearest side walls are at least greater than the area of the funnel outlet; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial view of the tapered section of the funnel seen in FIG.  4  and illustrating a bend in the actuator to prevent removal from the funnel, as well as the angular displacement which can occur; 
     FIG. 6 is a view of a portion of the funnel of the invention similar to FIG. 1 with a “U” shaped kink in the actuator rod to give some sensing distance while at the same time limiting upward movement of the occluding member and actuator combination; 
     FIG. 7 is a view of a configuration of the funnel of the invention similar to FIG. 6 with a “T” shaped kink in the actuator rod to give a more limiting length probe on actuation while at the same time limiting upward movement of the occluding member and actuator combination; and 
     FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to a downward view taken with respect to FIG.  4  and before the bending of the straight rod and which can be used to illustrate the upper limit of travel of the occluding element as providing a flow area between the occluding element and funnel surface equal to or at least as great as the area of the funnel outlet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is best begun with reference to FIG. 1. A funnel  100  has an opening at its inlet end  110 , a reservoir portion  101  which, in the usual case, tapers downwardly to an inlet end  114  of an outlet tube or spout  102  the wall  104  of which tapers toward funnel outlet  108 . The spout wall  104  is therefore seen to converge toward the funnel axis  106  axially along the funnel&#39;s outlet spout  102  from the inlet end  114  to the outlet  108 . 
     Within the funnel outlet spout (at least in the off or closed position thereof) is an occluding element  112  which comprises a substantially spherical ball having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the inner surface  107  of wall  104  of the cross-section of the wall  104  of the outlet tube or spout  102  at the outlet end  108 , but smaller than the diameter of the cross-section of the inner surface  107  of wall  104  of the spout  102  at the spout inlet  114 . The diameter of the occluding ball  112  is chosen depending upon where in the outlet spout  102  one wishes the occluding ball  112  to rest when no further liquid is to be discharged from the funnel outlet  108 . Naturally, the closer to the outlet end  108  the ball rests in the occluding position, the smaller will be the amount of fluid in the outlet spout  102  which will escape from the funnel  100  once the funnel outlet spout  102  is closed by the occluding element  112 . 
     It should be noted that occluding element  112  need not necessarily comprise a complete spherical ball, but may be truncated, or otherwise be non-spherically shaped at its top or bottom with respect to the funnel outlet spout  102 . What is required is that the occluding element have a substantial spherical lateral surface for contact with the converging wall  104  of spout  102 . 
     FIG. 1 shows the occluding element  112  in its closed position in solid lines while an open position of element  112 P is shown in phantom dashed lines. 
     To manually achieve the on or off position of the occluding element  112 , an actuator  120  is coupled to the occluding element  112 . A first portion  122  of actuator  120  extends outwardly from the funnel outlet  108  in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis  106  of the outlet spout  102  to a bend  124  whereat the element  120  then has a second portion  125  extending in a reverse direction and terminating in a transversely extending arm or third portion  126 . 
     When the user of funnel  100  desires flow from the funnel outlet  108  to commence, arm  126  is raised toward the funnel inlet end  110  to, in turn, raise occluding element  112  thereby allowing flow of fluid around occluding element  112  and out of the funnel outlet  108 . In the usual case, arm  126  would be forced against the rim of an opening in a container into which the fluid is to be transferred. When a user desires flow of fluid out of outlet  108  to cease, then pressure in an upward direction on arm  126  or bend  124  is released and the occluding ball  112  will, under the force of gravity and the substance above it in the funnel, fall to the lower position shown in FIG. 1 to halt flow of fluid out of funnel  100 . 
     The advantage of using a ball-shaped valve inside the angled or tapering funnel outlet spout as described above is that the exact position of the occluding ball is not important. The spherical shape of at least a lateral surface of element  112  may offer advantages of: 
     1.) creating an effective seal by simply allowing the occluding element to fall to the lowest point possible in outlet spout  102  under the size constraints of the diameter of its lateral spherical surface; 
     2.) eliminating the need for a separately machined or molded valve seat; and 
     3.) eliminating the requirement of parallelism between member  122  of actuator  120  and the longitudinal axis of outlet spout  102 . 
     Further adding to the simplicity of the invention is the fact that the element  120 , which actuates up motion of the occluding ball  112 , need not be perfectly angularly aligned with respect to the axis  106  of the spout  102 , since rotation of a ball-shaped occluding valve will not affect the performance of the liquid-tight seal desired. 
     Actuator  120  can be fabricated from a variety of materials, such as metallic wire or plastic. If the occluding element  112  and actuator  120  are fabricated to form a single unitary construction, then the material used preferably has high flexibility for ease of placement of the occluding element and actuator into the funnel with the actuator extending through the outlet  108 . For example, the element  120  could comprise a linear element bent to the final shape shown in FIG. 1 after the occluding ball  112  and attached (or integral) member  120  have been positioned with respect to funnel  100  with element  112  in outlet spout  102  and member  120  extending from element  112  substantially linearly out of funnel outlet  108 . 
     A showing of how the funnel  100  of the present invention is formed is first seen with respect to a wire, rod or stick, referred to as a straight rod  141  from which a multitude of shapes can be made, including the actuator  120  seen in FIG.  1 . One end  143  of the rod  141  has a differing shape than the remainder of the rod  141 , such as a head  145  slightly expanded in one radial direction by pounding the rod or compressing the end  143  of the rod  141  to provide a slight expansion in at least one radial direction. A roughening  147  of the end of the rod can be formed by rolling with a stone or grinding wheel, or by rolling it in a mill to form a roughened surface having several raised portions which would fix any elastomeric or liquid formed structure formed about the roughened end  147 . Both the roughened area  147  and the compressed end  145  are helpful, but other structures can also be employed, and the presence of either of these specific structures is not necessary. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the head  145  of the end  143  of the rod  141  is placed within a mold  151 , and specifically within a mold cavity  153 . A formable material  155  is introduced into the cavity  153  for adhering to and hardening around end  143 , and especially the roughened area  147  and the compressed head  145 . The mold  151  has a center separation  159  to enable the mold  151  to be separated to free the formable material  155 , which will form an occluding element  112  or  161  having a spherical lateral surface, and which may deviate from sphericity elsewhere on its surface. The occluding element  112  seen in FIG. 1 is shown as being completely spherical. Ideally, enough of the occluding element  161  should be spherical to enable angular pivoting of the occluding element  112  throughout its restricted angular range of motion, while still presenting a spherical surface area to the inside of the tapering wall  104 . 
     This is easily accomplished so long as the actuator  120  diameter is significantly smaller than the funnel outlet  108  and so long as the occluding element  112  is significantly close to the funnel outlet  108 . This is important where a non rigid mechanical actuation is to occur, where the actuator, such as actuator  120  seen in FIG. 1 may freely seat at a multiplicity of angles in sealing position, or be manually operated or may be operated by physical contact with surfaces associated with the filling structure. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, a next step in the construction of the funnel  100  of the invention is shown. The now hardened formable material  155  forms an occluding element  161  having a substantial portion of its periphery, radial with respect to the length of rod  141  immediately leading into occluding element  161 , as spherical. The end  105  of the rod  141  opposite the end  143  (seen in FIG. 2) to which the occluding element  161  is attached is threaded through the reservoir portion  101  of funnel  100 , tapering wall  104  and out through the funnel outlet  108 . The depiction of FIG. 4 is one in which the leading end  105  of the rod  141  has just passed the outlet  108 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, a closeup view of the occluding element  161  is seen with respect to the wall  104 . The occluding element  161  is seen in sealing position against the continuous conical inside surface  163  of wall  104 , wall  104  being circular in cross section. The method of forming the funnel  100  thus far has not involved any awkward or dimensionally challenging structures or methods to join the rod  141  to the occluding element because this step was performed before the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly were introduced into the funnel  100 . 
     In FIG. 5, a portion of the rod  141  has a bend  165  of extent such that the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly cannot be upwardly removed from the funnel  100 . The bend  165  is seen as a simple bend but other more complex bends can be formed. The only requirement for the bend  165  and other bends similar to it include: (1) restriction from removing the rod  141  occluding element  161  assembly back out of the funnel, and (2) initial occurrence low enough that sufficient upward movement of the rod  141  occluding element  161  assembly is allowed in order to enable liquid to flow around the occluding element  161  and out through the funnel outlet  108 . 
     The degree of sphericity of the occluding element  161  should be such that the permitted movement of the rod  141  occluding element  161  assembly will not be sufficient to present a non-spherical surface to the continuous conical inside surface  163 . So long as this condition holds, the angular position of the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the outlet tube will not cause the funnel  100  to drip when the occluding element  161  is in its lower position. 
     The sphericity of the occluding element  161  need not exist over an entire spherical surface of the occluding element  161 . As is seen in FIG. 5, a dashed line  167  marks a latitude of the occluding element  161  which is below the general midline of its volume. The position of line  167  will generally depend upon the angularity of the taper of the continuous conical inside surface  163 , which is indicated by the angle α and which may be about 10°. Regardless of the angular position of the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly, the tapered inner surface of the outlet tube and a spherical surface of the occluding element should contact at all angles to insure a positive fluid cutoff and elimination of leaking drippage. 
     The funnel  100  of the invention offers great advantages over other systems, including a quick release of flow. Because the sealing line between the occluding element  161  and continuous conical inside surface  163  is slight, there is very little pressure sticking resistance purely due to the interaction between the sealing structures themselves. Compare, for example, a conical occluding element within a conical vessel outlet, movement to enable flow first overcomes the sticking force between the closely adjacent and significant surface area of such an occluding element and its opposing complementary surface. Further, pressure drop is another consideration. The pressure drop maximum occurs at the closest distance between the lifted occluding element  112  or  161  and surface  107  or  163 . Compare this to a conical occluding element within a conical vessel outlet and in which the opening provides for a much longer linear flow path between a length of constant separation and progressively smaller cross section of flowing channel. The conical occluding element produces more pressure drop. In sealing, a conical element uses the force of the fluid above to shut off flow, but before flow can be shut off, the liquid is squeezed from between the complementary axially elongate surfaces. Where the liquid is viscous, the draining time and superfluous draining is significant. 
     Conversely, a flapper arrangement creates significant pressure on a flapper element during high flow. Flow is also not as controllable in a flapper arrangement. As a result, the funnel  100  can be seen to give an optimum degree of advantage with the smooth flow ability and flow controllability not present in either a complementary cone arrangement, nor in a flapper arrangement. 
     Enabling the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly to move freely, including rotation about the longitudinal axis of the rod  141  as well as the angular displacement of the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly with respect to the longidudinal axis of the discharge tube as seen in FIG. 5, both combine to produce a polishing effect. By contrast, where an occluding element is rotationally and angularly fixed, the wear on the inside surface  163  would not even out. Wear of the inside surface between an occluding element and the inside surface would be limited to the circular contact line  167 . If dirt or debris were to become stuck along this line, further action of the occluding element could abrade the inside surface of the tapered discharge tube at line  167  and abrade the outside of the occluding element  112  which forms the seal, and where the debris becomes somewhat embedded, continue to abrade throughout the useful life of a funnel assembly. 
     However, the relatively unrestricted angular movement of the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly gives greater assurance that debris will not be allowed to collect at a sealing line between the occluding element  161  and continuous conical inside surface  163  since the relative position of these two structures may continually change. Selective movement of these structures helps insure that debris will be dislodged and continue to flow through the assembly of funnel  100  rather than collect. In essence, this action can also be referred to as both self-cleaning and self polishing. 
     In addition, and assuming a spherical surface or zone of occluding element  161 , which is generally shown to exist between a lower limit dashed line  169  and an upper limit dashed line  171  in FIG. 5, the polishing wear which would occur at a line of contact generally indicated by dashed line  167  actually promotes increased sealing over time. To the extent that a manufactured assembly of funnel  101  was somewhat out of tolerance at the beginning of its use, continual use polishes and forms the mating surfaces to a complementary shape. Because the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly may be regularly angularly displaced, a general distributed polishing of the occluding element  161  will take place. 
     On the continuous conical inside surface  163 , approximately opposite the line  167  shown on the occluding element  161 , the sealing line may develop in to a spherically complementary trough  173 . This trough is expected to be very slight, but to the extent that it develops, it will be spherical. In addition, since the area of the occluding element  161  which will come into contact with the continuous conical inside surface  163  is more distributed, the wear on the occluding element  161  will be slight. Because of the allowance of angular displacement of the of the rod  141  and occluding element  161  assembly, the assembled funnel  100  should improve in its sealing capability over time, even where the tolerances of manufacture are not as close as would normally be desired. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the actuator rod  141  of the funnel  100  of the invention has a “U” shaped kink in it, including a right angled bend  191 , a “U” shaped bend  193  and a right angled bend  195 , and terminates in a downwardly extending straight portion  197 , which enables the funnel assembly  100  to give some distance sensing while at the same time limiting upward movement of the occluding member and actuator combination. One of the modes of operation of the funnel  100  assembly is to use a physical touching of some structure on the container to be filled, to actuate the occluding element  161 ,  112  in the upward direction to enable liquid to flow, followed by a lifting of the funnel  100  assembly to enable gravity and substance still in the funnel  100  to move the occluding element into a shut off position to stop the flow. Where the bottom of the actuator rod  141  is not totally stabilized, as is the case in FIG. 6, the angular pivoting of the occluding element  112 ,  161  throughout its restricted angular range of motion, will be enabled. 
     FIG. 7 is a view of a configuration of the funnel  100  of the invention similar to FIG. 6 with a “T” shaped kink in the actuator rod, including a right angled bend  201 , a “U” shaped bend  203 , and a laterally extending straight portion  205  which extends back and beyond the lateral position of the right angled bend  201 . This provides a flatter bottom surface for actuation and will be more useful in filling structures having a lateral engagement surface. The configuration seen in FIG. 6 is useful for structures having both lateral and bottom engagement surfaces. The downwardly extending straight portion  197  can be long enough to touch the bottom of a container to be filled, where necessary. Likewise, the lateral extent of the bend  203  and length of laterally extending straight portion  205  can be as extensive as needed to match or properly engage structures to be filled. Where an unusual shaped structure is to be filled, the portion of the actuator rod  141  which extends beyond the funnel opening  108  and which enables sufficient clearance for proper actuation of the occluding element  112 ,  161 , can be shaped to engage such specialized structure. It is preferable that the occluding element  112 ,  161  still be enabled to pivot to accomplish the cleaning and improved sealing over time. Also seen in FIG. 7 is a structure  211  toward which the funnel  100  can be brought until the straight portion  205  makes contact with it. At this point the wall  104  continues downward as the occluding element  161  lifts upward to allow fluid to escape the funnel  100 . Although the straight portion  205  would appear to provide angular stabilization to the occluding element  161 , keep in mind the displacement of the assembly of the funnel  100  toward and away from the observer of FIG. 7 will create random angular displacements of the occluding element  161 , as well as the fact that the spout  102  may be lowered at an angle deviating from the vertical. 
     FIG. 8, a view looking down into the funnel of FIG.  4  and without illustrating the straight rod  141 , illustrates a clear view of the reservoir portion  101 , the inside of a continuously tapering outlet spout  102 , the occluding element  161 , and a dashed line representation of the funnel outlet  108  which is located below the occluding element  161 . The straight rod  141  may have a first bend or obstruction limiting the upward movement of the occluding element  161  to a level not higher than that at which maximum flow will occur. In the case of highly viscous liquids, the length of the tapering outlet spout  102  may have a limited effect, but this is not normally the case. In order for funnel  100  to have a zero to maximum flow range, the occluding element must rise high enough to permit an area of flow between the occluding element  161  and the closest funnel surface to be equal to or greater than the area of the funnel outlet  108 . In FIG. 8, the letter “A” represents an effective area of the occluding element  161  which has been determined to be slightly below an equatorial line about its spherical surface due to the fact that the outlet spout  102  is tapered. The area “A” may in fact change where the tapering section wall  106  is uneven or where the degree of taper is not linear. The effective maximum area of “A” may vary with respect to the angle of the taper of the outlet spout  102 . 
     The letter “B” represents the effective flow area between the occluding element  161  and the tapering outlet spout  102 . 
     The letter “C” is a static quantity, shown with a dashed line indicator, and is the area of the funnel outlet  108 . 
     In this system of identification “B” represents the area available for flow within the tapered outlet spout  102  at any given height not blocked by the effective equatorial area of the occluding element  161  area “A”. It is preferable that the area “B” available at the uppermost extent of travel of the occluding element  161  be equal to or greater than the area “C” so that the maximum flow range of the funnel system of the present invention may be realized. The condition where the area “B” equals area “C” enables flow through said funnel outlet at a rate nearly as if, or nearly the same as would occur said occluding element was absent. The only deviations in the flow rate would relate to the viscosity of the liquid moving past the occluding element  112 ,  161  and the resulting fluid drag, which is proportional to the viscosity. 
     Conversely, the area “B” can be adjusted to be less than the area “C” when a low flow rate is desired, such as the addition of one immiscible fluid atop another immiscible fluid where no interaction other than the surface area is desired. Another application would be the handling of liquids when a low flow rate is desired, for example where it is known that the fluid flowing into the vessel being filled requires time to distribute itself in order to provide filling to capacity. In these cases, limitation of the extent of upward movement of the occluding element  112 ,  161  limits flow in those instances where the reduction of the flow rate is desired. 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of an occluding element and actuator structure for a funnel to form a funnel assembly which enables pivoting of the occluding element, one skilled in the art will realize that the structure and techniques of the present invention can be applied in many similar applications. The present invention may be applied in any situation where improved seating of an occluding element or valve element over time is combined with a self-cleaning function which inhibits scoring of the component parts thereof and helps insure clean positive closing operation. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art and the following claims directed thereto.