Funnel with vents for viscous fluids

A vented funnel for transferring liquid from one container to another includes a base portion adapted for connection to the container, a converging portion connected to the base portion, and a vent portion located between the base portion and the converging portion. The vent portion has a plurality of vent openings extending between the base portion and the converging portion and a plurality of ribs located between the vent openings so that each vent opening is separated from an adjacent vent opening by one of the plurality of ribs. In this manner, air within the container flows through the vent openings when liquid discharged from the converging portion displaces air in the container. The ribs extend between the base portion and the converging portion so that the ribs solely support the converging portion on the base portion while defining the vent openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art funnels are unstable, difficult to manipulate by one person when used to transfer liquids from one container to another, notoriously inefficient in that they fill up faster than they can drain, inadvertently causing messy spills and wasted fluid, especially when the user is distracted by trying to stabilize the funnel with one hand on a container to be filled while pouring from the container to be emptied with another hand. Prior art funnel inefficiency is exasperated when viscous fluids, such as oils, are being transferred from one container having a large opening, to another container having a relatively small opening. For example, many consumers prefer to deep fry food such as poultry, turkey, and other meats, as well as potatoes and other vegetables, in a large outdoor pot filled with oil. The large pot is typically placed on a propane burner and the oil is heated to a predetermined temperature prior to immersing the food in the oil. When the deep frying is done and the oil has cooled, it is desirable to pour the oil back into the container from which it was removed to be used again, as the oil may be used multiple times prior to being disposed or recycled. Although low-cost oils are available and have been used, more expensive oils, such as peanut oil, animal fats, combinations thereof, and so on, which impart a particular taste to the food, are more desirable. Accordingly, using higher quality oils more than once necessitates returning the used oil to its original container. With typical outdoor deep fryer pots, it is common to transfer the entire contents of a five-gallon container of cooking oil into the pot, then return the used oil back into the five-gallon container. Since prior art funnels are unstable, distracting and, due to their universal design for transferring low-viscosity liquids into containers having small neck openings, fail to efficiently transfer more viscous liquids, such as cooking oil, between the fryer pot and the original container, resulting in messy spills, wasted oil, damage to surfaces, clothing, and so on. Moreover, air within the container, which must be displaced as the container is filled, is forced through the narrow neck of the funnel, creating air bubbles in the viscous fluid, adding to inefficient transfer of viscous fluid into the container, and thus exacerbating the difficulties of using such funnels. Although pouring the viscous liquid at a slower rate can help reduce the Although vented funnels have been proposed for use with viscous fluids to create a separate pathway for air to leave the container during filling, the vents not only interfere with the narrow funnel neck and thus fail to create an efficient transfer of fluid into the container, but are difficult to manufacture, requiring multiple parts that must be formed separately and assembled, adding to manufacturing cost and ultimately greater expense to the consumer.

Accordingly, there continues to be a need for the provision of a funnel that efficiently transfers viscous fluids from one container to another, while overcoming one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a vented funnel for transferring liquid from one container to another includes a base portion adapted for connection to the container, a converging portion connected to the base portion, and a vent portion located between the base portion and the converging portion. The vent portion has a a plurality of vent openings extending between the base portion and the converging portion and a plurality of ribs located between the vent openings so that each vent opening is separated from an adjacent vent opening by one of the plurality of ribs. In this manner, air within the container flows through the vent openings when liquid discharged from the converging portion displaces air in the container.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the plurality of ribs extend between the base portion and the converging portion so that the plurality of ribs solely supports the converging portion on the base portion.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the converging portion has a first continuous wall with a first converging section and a first slope, and at least a further converging section with a further slope different from the first slope, which in one exemplary embodiment is less than the first slope.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, a nozzle portion extends from the converging portion and includes a nozzle wall defining a discharge port. The first converging section has a first height and the nozzle wall has a second height that is much smaller than the first height to thereby minimize material required for the vented funnel. Preferably, the second height is sufficient to prevent liquids from being sucked into the vent portion and expelled outside of the container while being discharged through the discharge port.

It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further noted that the drawings may not be to scale. The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and toFIGS.1-6in particular, a vented funnel10in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The vented funnel10is useful for facilitating the efficient transfer of liquids from one container to another, and especially transferring viscous liquids, such as oil, from a larger container (not shown) with a wide opening to a smaller container12(FIGS.5&6) with a narrow opening14surrounded by a neck16with external threads18. The vented funnel10of the present invention can be connected to the neck16of a container12to facilitate the efficient transfer of oil or other viscous liquids used in cooking from a large pot, such as a stock pot used in deep frying for example, through the opening14into the container12, such as the original container the oil or other viscous liquids were stored and transported in, for storing the oil after it has been dispensed therefrom, so that the oil can be reused, recycled, and/or properly disposed of while minimizing drawbacks of the prior art as discussed above. It will be understood that the vented funnel10, including its various embodiments as described herein, can be adapted for use with any container, tank, reservoir, and so on, to facilitate the efficient transfer of any fluid into the container without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring now toFIGS.1-8, the vented funnel10preferably includes a base portion20, a converging portion22positioned above the base portion, a nozzle portion24extending downwardly from the converging portion, and a vent portion26located between the base portion20and the converging portion22. A central axis25extends through the base portion20, nozzle portion24, and converging portion22.

The base portion20preferably includes an annular side wall30with an upper edge32, a lower edge34, an outer surface36extending between the upper and lower edges, and in inner surface38spaced concentrically from the outer surface36and extending between the upper and lower edges. Internal threads40are formed on the inner surface38of the annular side wall30for engaging the external threads18(FIGS.5&6) of the storage container neck16to provide a stable connection between the vented funnel10and the container. However, it will be understood that the vented funnel10can be used with other containers, threaded or unthreaded. It will be further understood that the threads40can be removed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Likewise, other means for connecting the funnel to a container can be used. For example, when the container does not have a threaded neck, the base portion20can be arranged to engage the opening of the container and/or to be supported on a wall of the container surrounding the opening.

The converging portion22comprises a continuous wall41with a first converging section42, a second converging section44extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section42, and a third converging section46extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section44to the nozzle portion24. As best shown inFIGS.1,2,5,6, and8, the first converging section42and the third converging section46are preferably conical in shape, while the second converging section44gently curves between the first and third converging sections. In addition, as best shown inFIG.5, the first converging section42has a first angle or slope A1with respect to horizontal and a first height H1, the second converging section44has a radius of curvature R2and a second height H2, while the third converging section46has a second angle or slope A3and a third height H3. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and by way of example, the first angle or slope A1is greater than the second angle or slope A3, while the first height H1is greater than the third height H3, and much greater than the second height H2, while the radius of curvature R2is greater than the height H2. In this manner, the present invention ensures that fluid entering the converging portion22moves through the first converging section42at a first average flow or discharge rate, transitions through the second converging section44at a second average flow or discharge rate, and flows through the third converging section46at a third average flow or discharge rate. With the curved shape of the second converging section44, the first average flow rate transitions smoothly to the third average flow rate, ensuring laminar flow throughout the converging portion22. By way of example, the first angle A1and first height H1are greater than the third angle A3and the third height H3, respectively. Accordingly, the first flow rate is greater than the third flow rate, while the second flow rate changes through the radius of curvature R1between the first and third flow rates. In this manner, fluid pressure at the entrance48of the nozzle portion24advantageously increases to ensure liquid discharging from the nozzle portion is received in the container in a controlled manner, while ensuring liquid entering the container is prevented from being directed through the vent portion26.

The nozzle portion24preferably includes an annular nozzle wall50extending downward from the third converging section46defining a discharge orifice or port53. A height H4of the nozzle portion24is much smaller than each of the heights H1, H2, and H3of the first, second and third converging sections42,44, and46, respectively. The height H4of the nozzle portion is preferably selected to thereby minimize the amount of material required for the vented funnel10, thereby lowering material and manufacturing costs, as well as reducing frictional forces that might further impede the flow of liquids into the container from the funnel. Moreover, the height H4of the nozzle portion, although relatively small, is sufficient to prevent liquids, and more especially viscous liquids, from being sucked into the vent portion26and expelled outside of the container during use.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H4is generally in the range of about 0.15×H3to about 0.75×H3, and more particularly in the range of about 0.20×H3to about 0.30×H3.

Likewise, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H3of the third converging section46is generally in the range of about 0.15×H1to about 0.75×H1, and more particularly in the range of about 0.20×H1to about 0.30×H1.

Moreover, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H2of the second converging section46is generally in the range of about 0.10×H1to about 0.30×H1, and more particularly in the range of about 0.12×H1to about 0.20×H1.

With the above-described exemplary ranges, when the H1of the first converging section is about three inches, for example, the heights H2, H3and H4have proportional values so that liquid traveling through the vented funnel10is efficiently transferred to a container.

Referring again toFIGS.1-8, the vent portion26is located between the base portion20and the converging portion22and includes a plurality of supports or ribs52that extend between the upper edge32of the base portion20and the continuous wall41associated with the third converging section46and a section of the second converging section42, such that the converging portion22is spaced from the base portion20and supported solely by the ribs52. Vent openings54are located between adjacent ribs52to allow air to escape from the container12, as shown by arrows55inFIG.6, when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion24.

As shown inFIG.6, four ribs52extend radially outwardly from the central axis25of the nozzle portion24and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion24to form four vent openings54through which air in the container can escape. It will be understood that more or less ribs and vent openings can be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

As best shown inFIGS.2,4, and5, each rib52is generally triangular in shape and has a variable thickness that tapers from the base portion20to the converging portion22, with the thickness T1(FIG.4) at the base portion being greater than a thickness T2at the converging portion. Likewise, in order to maximize the area of each vent opening54, the thickness T1of each rib is much less than an inner arc length56(FIG.4) of the vent opening associated with the nozzle portion, and thus an outer arch length58of the vent opening associated with the base portion.

With particular reference toFIG.4, and as more clearly shown in the enlarged view, each vent opening54, as viewed in the bottom plan view, forms a two-dimensional truncated conical shaped area60(shown in thicker dashed line) defined by a first edge52A of one rib52, the outer arc or arc length58, a second edge52B of an adjacent rib52, and the inner arc or arc length56. Preferably, the combined truncated conical shaped areas60of the vent openings54is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port53of the nozzle portion24, so that air within the container12can escape as fast as it is displaced by liquid entering into the container from the vented funnel, thereby avoiding interference with liquid flowing through the funnel. The placement of the vent openings around the discharge port, along with the relatively small height H4of the nozzle portion24, ensures that efficient transfer of liquid into the container can occur while substantially reducing frictional resistance of the liquid against the funnel material at the nozzle portion. The particular location and shape of the vent openings together with the height H4of the nozzle portion24also helps to inhibit liquid exiting through the discharge port from being sucked through the vent openings.

Referring now toFIGS.9-16, a vent funnel110in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The vented funnel110is somewhat similar to the vented funnel10previously described, with the exception of a vent portion126and changes in the surrounding structure of the converging portion122to accommodate the particular exemplary configuration of the vent portion126.

The converging portion122comprises a continuous wall141with the first converging section42, the second converging section44extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section42, and a third converging section146extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section44to the nozzle portion24.

The vent portion126is located between the base portion20and the converging portion122and includes a plurality of supports or ribs152that extend between the upper edge32of the base portion20and the continuous wall141associated with the third converging section146. Vent openings154are located between adjacent ribs152to allow air to escape from the container12, as shown by arrows55inFIG.14, when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion24. Lower wall segments155(seeFIGS.12and13) of the continuous wall141extend to the base portion20around the vent openings154, so that the converging portion122is supported by both the ribs152and the lower wall segments155.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and as best shown inFIG.12, four ribs152extend radially outwardly from the central axis25of the nozzle portion24and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion24to form four vent openings154through which air in the container can escape. Likewise, four wall segments155are in alignment with the ribs152for adding additional support for the base portion20. It will be understood that more or less ribs, wall segments, and/or vent openings can be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

As best shown inFIG.13, each rib152is generally triangular in shape and has an increasing thickness as it extends downwardly from the third converging section146toward the base portion20.

With particular reference toFIG.15, and as more clearly shown in the enlarged view, each vent opening154, as seen in the side elevational view, forms a two-dimensional truncated conical shaped area160(shown in thicker dashed line) defined by a first edge152A of one rib152, an outer arc or arc length158, a second edge1528located adjacent to the base portion20, and an inner arc or arc length156. Preferably, the combined truncated conical shaped areas160of the vent openings154is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port53of the nozzle portion24, so that air within the container12(FIGS.13and14) can escape as fast as it is displaced by liquid entering into the container from the vented funnel, thereby avoiding interference with liquid flowing through the funnel. The placement of the vent openings around the discharge port, along with the relatively small height H4of the nozzle portion24, ensures that efficient transfer of liquid into the container can occur while substantially reducing frictional resistance of the liquid against the funnel material at the nozzle portion. The particular location and shape of the vent openings together with the height H4of the nozzle portion24also helps to inhibit liquid exiting through the discharge port from being sucked through the vent openings.

Referring now toFIGS.17-24, a vent funnel210in accordance with yet a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The vented funnel210is somewhat similar to the vented funnel10and the vented funnel110previously described, with the exception of a vent portion226and changes in the surrounding structure of the converging portion222to accommodate the particular exemplary configuration of the vent portion226.

The converging portion222comprises a continuous wall241with the first converging section42, the second converging section44extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section42, and a third converging section246extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section44to the nozzle portion24.

The vent portion226is located between the base portion20and the converging portion222and includes a plurality of supports or ribs252that extend between the upper edge32of the base portion20and the continuous wall241associated with the third converging section246. Vent openings254are located between adjacent ribs252to allow air to escape from the container12, as shown by arrows55inFIG.22, when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion24. Lower wall segments255of the continuous wall241extend to the base portion20around the vent openings254, so that the converging portion222is supported by both the ribs252and the lower wall segments255.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and as best shown inFIG.20, six ribs252extend radially outwardly from the central axis25of the nozzle portion24and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion24to form six vent openings254through which air in the container can escape. Likewise, six wall segments255are in alignment with the ribs252for adding additional support for the base portion20. It will be understood that more or less ribs, wall segments, and/or vent openings can be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

As best shown inFIG.21, each rib252is generally triangular in shape and has an increasing thickness as it extends downwardly from the third converging section146toward the base portion20.

With particular reference toFIGS.18,23, and25, and as more clearly shown inFIG.25, each vent opening254, as seen in the side elevational view, forms a two-dimensional generally trapezoidal shaped area260defined by a first edge252A of one rib252, a first edge258associated with the wall241, a second edge252B of an adjacent rib252, and an inner arc or arc length256. Preferably, the combined area of the trapezoidal shaped areas260of the vent openings254is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port53of the nozzle portion24, so that air within the container12(FIGS.21and22) can escape as fast as it is displaced by liquid entering into the container from the vented funnel210, thereby avoiding interference with liquid flowing through the funnel. The placement of the vent openings254around the discharge port53, along with the relatively small height H4of the nozzle portion24, ensures that efficient transfer of liquid into the container can occur while substantially reducing frictional resistance of the liquid against the funnel material at the nozzle portion. The particular location and shape of the vent openings together with the height H4of the nozzle portion24also helps to inhibit liquid exiting through the discharge port from being sucked through the vent openings.

Although several shapes and configurations have been shown and described with respect to the vent portions of each embodiment, it will be understood that other shapes and configurations are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that the term “preferably” as used throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be interpreted in any limiting sense.

It will be further understood that the term “connect” and its derivatives refers to two or more parts capable of being attached together either directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate members. In addition, terms of orientation and/or position as may be used throughout the specification denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or positions.