Funnel with spout extension support

A support for a spout extension is molded integrally to the rim of a plastic funnel to accommodate the funnel's detachable spout extension and to facilitate holding of the funnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates generally to funnels having detachable spout 
extensions, and pertains more particularly to a funnel provided with a 
support for the detachable extension. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The type of funnel disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,703, granted Dec. 23, 
1975 to Everett E. Beaubien, has been well liked by those who have 
purchased and used it. However, the removable or detachable spout 
extension has presented a problem as far as displaying funnels of this 
design. It has been common practice to stack all types of funnels in an 
inverted relationship. However, as far as this particular funnel type is 
concerned, if the spout extension is removed in order to permit stacking, 
it is apt to get lost or misplaced. Furthermore, when the extension is not 
held by the funnel, the prospective purchaser would not normally recognize 
that the funnel comes with an extension unless it is explained to him in 
some way that it does, either verbally or pictorially. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a support 
for a spout extension of a funnel in which the support is integral with 
the funnel itself and which support will enable funnels to be readily 
stacked and attractively displayed so as to encourage their purchase. 
Also, the invention has for an object the provision of a means for 
supporting a removable spout extension in more than one way, thereby 
affording the merchant a choice as to how he displays the funnels. 
Still further, an object is to enable funnels utilizing detachable spout 
extensions to be shipped in a compact configuration and displayed in the 
store without having to attach the extensions or to reorient them from the 
way in which they were shipped. Stated somewhat differently, the funnels, 
when practicing our invention, can be stacked at the factory and later 
displayed when unpacked without change or alteration. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a choice for the ultimate 
customer who purchases a funnel with a detachable spout extension as to 
how it will be held when detached so that it will not interfere with the 
storage of the funnel and yet will make the extension immediately 
available when it is needed. Having the extension support integral with 
the funnel solves this problem. In other words, a funnel utilizing a 
detachable spout extension may at times be used without the spout attached 
to the funnel and at times with the extension attached. However, when 
practicing the teachings of our invention the user is afforded several 
choices, any one of which will assure that the extension is readily 
available when needed. 
Still further, an object of our invention is to provide a spout extension 
support that will not interfere in any way with the normal use of the 
funnel when the extension is not needed. Actually, it is within the 
purview of the invention to make the holding of the funnel easier during a 
pouring operation, the support serving as an added means by which the 
funnel may be grasped. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an extension support for 
a plastic funnel that can be molded integrally to the funnel and at the 
same time entail little or no increase in the cost of manufacturing the 
funnel. 
Briefly, our invention contemplates a spout support for funnels utilizing a 
detachable spout extension, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,927,703, hereinbefore referred to, which will readily hold the spout 
extension during shipment, while the funnels are subsequently stacked for 
display purposes and later when the funnels are being used by their 
respective purchasers without the extension in place. In this regard, the 
extension support is molded integrally to the rim of the funnel, being in 
the form of a ring having upwardly extending (when the funnel is inverted) 
fingers thereon which engage either end of the removable spout extension. 
The spout extension can alternatively be inserted through the ring by the 
user when the funnel is not in use and, for example, when hung on a nail 
extending from a wall, this being in addition to the choices available 
during display. Additionally, the extension, together with the ring for 
hanging the funnel, enables the funnel to be more readily held during 
certain pouring operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In order to provide a basis for a better appreciation of the invention, 
reference will first be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the all-plastic 
(such as polyethylene) funnel, denoted generally by the reference numeral 
10, is depicted in the position it would assume when in actual use (FIG. 
8, for example). As illustrated, the funnel 10 includes a body 12 having a 
rim or inlet end 14 at the top. Beneath the rim 14 is a body 12 having a 
cylindrical band portion 16 and beneath that a lower tapered portion 18 
narrowing down to a relatively small outlet or discharge end 20. At this 
stage, it should be recognized that the funnel 10 as thus far described 
can be used in the form described. 
However, since it is planned that a spout extension 22 be used when needed, 
an annular ledge or shoulder 24 (FIG. 2) is formed within the tapered 
portion 18, more specifically, adjacent the discharge end 20. Diverging 
downwardly and slightly outwardly from the ledge or shoulder 24 is a 
conical sealing surface 26. 
The spout extension 22 is formed with a coupling end 28 having an upwardly 
and inwardly converging sealing surface 30 which complements and snuggly 
fits against the sealing surface 26. As can be discerned from FIG. 2, a 
plurality of resilient or inwardly flexible tabs 32 extend upwardly from 
the upper end of the surface 30, there being a slot 34 between each pair 
of tabs 32. In practice, four tabs 32 have been found satisfactory. Formed 
on each tab 32 is a latch or shoulder 36 and extending upwardly and 
inwardly from each latch or shoulder 36 is a sloping cam portion 38. 
Consequently, when the spout extension 22 is forced upwardly into the 
position shown in FIG. 2, the tabs 32 are compressed inwardly until the 
latch or shoulders 36 thereon pass the annular ledge or shoulder 24, then 
snapping outwardly so that the extension 22 is releasably coupled to the 
discharge end 20. By means of a pair of stops 40a and 40b, the spout 
extension 22 is prevented from being forced too far upwardly into the 
outlet or discharge end 20. 
In addition to the coupling end 28, which is configured as described above, 
the spout extension 22 further includes an angled tubular section 42 
having a slight taper imparted thereto so as to produce a circular 
discharge end 44 slightly larger in diameter than the end thereof adjacent 
the coupling end 28. Actually, the taper cannot be discerned from the 
drawing; however, the discharge end 44 is approximately 1/16 inch larger 
in diameter than the end of the tubular section 42 adjacent the coupling 
end 28. 
Attention is directed at this point to a hangup loop 46. Strictly speaking, 
this loop 46 does not play a role in the practicing of our invention. 
Nonetheless, the loop 46 enables the funnel 10 to be hung on a nail 48 in 
a wall 50 or the like (FIG. 7). When so hung the spout extension 22 can be 
removed from the body 12, more specifically the discharge end 20, and 
conveniently and accessibly retained for future recoupling to the end 20 
when needed. This will be explained hereinafter. 
At this time, attention is directed to a spout extension support 52 
integral with the rim or inlet end 14. As can be seen from FIGS. 4-6, the 
extension support 52 comprises a circular ring 54 having an opening 56 
therein. For ease of identification in FIGS. 4-6 reference numerals 58a 
and 58b have been employed to indicate the opposite surfaces of the ring 
54, the surface 58a being uppermost in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 7 but lowermost 
in FIGS. 4-6. Extending downwardly from the surface 58b are three fingers 
60. Cooperable with the fingers 60 are lugs 62a and 62b, these lugs being 
molded integrally with the cylindrical band portion 16 of the body 12 just 
beneath (when the funnel is in the position of FIGS. 1 and 7) the rim 14. 
Having presented the foregoing information, the benefits to be derived from 
a practicing of our invention should be readily apparent. As already 
pointed out, display of funnels is rendered quite difficult where 
extension spouts are employed. Whereas a detachable spout extension 
increases the utility of a funnel, it presents a problem as far as 
displaying the funnel because the spout extension provides interference 
with other funnels when endeavoring to compactly stack the funnels. 
Because the funnel 10 envisages the detachment of the spout extension 22 in 
order to use the funnel without the extension, the instant invention makes 
it possible for the detachable spout extension 22 to be held at one side 
of the funnel 10 when not in use, both during shipping of the funnels and 
during the display thereof. 
Accordingly, as far as FIGS. 3 and 4 are concerned, one way of juxtaposing 
the spout extension 22 is pictured. It will be recalled that the discharge 
end 44 of the tubular section 42 is somewhat larger (about 1/16 inch) than 
the end thereof adjacent the coupling end 28. Therefore, the circular 
opening 56 in the ring 54 is made substantially the same diameter as is 
the diameter of the discharge end 44 of the spout extension 22. 
Consequently, the discharge end 44 can be gently forced downwardly when 
the funnel 10 is inverted, as in FIGS. 3 and 4, to establish a press fit 
between the slightly larger discharge end 44 of the extension and the ring 
54. When inserted into the ring 54, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the 
fingers 60, together with the lugs 62a and 62b, maintain the tubular 
section 42 vertical. 
Once inserted into the ring 54 the spout extension 22 can be rotated about 
its own now vertical axis so that the coupling end 28 angles inwardly 
toward the tapered portion 18 of the body 12. Although the coupling end 28 
can be oriented so as to face radially inwardly toward the body 12, the 
tubular section 42 can be rotated or shifted about its now vertical axis 
so that each coupling end 28 is not truly radial but angled somewhat to 
either side of a true radial position, or even at right angles to the 
radial position appearing in FIG. 3. 
In this way, any number of funnels 10, together with their respective spout 
extensions 22 can be stacked one above the other. In FIG. 3, only four 
funnels 10 have been illustrated but it will be appreciated that any 
number can be stacked vertically. Also, while not illustrated, the 
uppermost funnel 10 can, if the merchant desires, have its particular 
spout extension 22 snapped into the discharge end 20, in the manner shown 
in FIG. 2, but, of course, the uppermost funnel in FIG. 3 is inverted with 
respect to the funnel 10 in FIGS. 1 and 8 (and also FIG. 2). Hence, the 
display can reflect one funnel 10, the uppermost one, with the spout 
extension 22 snapped in so as to illustrate to prospective purchasers how 
the extension is to be used in actual practice. 
Although the arrangement pictured in FIGS. 3 and 4 is ample for both 
shipping and display purposes, nonetheless the invention contemplates a 
different way of holding the various spout extensions 22. This 
rearrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this situation, 
especially as can be understood from FIG. 6, the coupling end 28 of each 
extension 22 is pressed downwardly so that the resilient tabs 32 are 
flexed inwardly until the cam portions 38 have passed beneath the ring 
surface 58b, the latches or shoulders 36 then springing outwardly so as to 
resist (but not preclude) detachment. In other words, the shoulders 36 
latch beneath the ring 54, more specifically, bearing against the surface 
58b thereof as is clearly evident in FIG. 6. 
When stacked as shown in FIG. 5, each spout extension 22 can be swiveled so 
that its tubular section 42 assumes a skewed relation with its particular 
funnel 10. An effort has been made to portray this situation as far as 
FIG. 5 is concerned. With the spout extensions 22 rotated so that the 
tubular sections 42 thereof angle toward the body 12 of each funnel 10, 
very little space is taken up by the various spout extensions 22, yet they 
are firmly retained in place much like when in use (FIGS. 1 and 2). 
Here again, the uppermost funnel of FIG. 5, although not so shown, can have 
its particular spout extension 22 snapped into the outlet 20 as it would 
be in actual use (FIG. 8). In other words, the coupled configuration shown 
in FIG. 2 can be resorted to and, as with the stacking arrangement of FIG. 
3, can provide a showing of the funnel to prospective buyers in the form 
in which it would be actually used after purchase. 
Not only can the two display configurations of FIGS. 3 and 5 be achieved, 
but once the funnel 10 has been bought, the user can always revert to the 
manner of holding the particular spout extension 22, as shown in either 
FIG. 3 or FIG. 5. However, he in all likelihood will find it more 
advantageous to use the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7. It will be 
recalled that the discharge end 44 of the tubular section 42 is somewhat 
larger in diameter than the end of the tubular section 42 adjacent the 
coupling end 28. It will also be remembered that the diameter of the 
discharge end 44 is substantially the same as that of the opening 56. 
Hence, once the discharge end 44 of a spout extension 22 is pressed 
downwardly through the ring 54, the end portion of the section 42 adjacent 
the coupling end 28 is freely movable within the opening 56. However, 
owing to the enlarged configuration of the end 28, the extension 22 cannot 
drop through the opening 56 but is retained as illustrated in FIG. 7. 
The funnel 10 with the spout extension 22 held by the support 52, as 
depicted in FIG. 7, can readily be hung on the nail 48 extending from the 
wall or other surface 50. The loop 46 permits this to be done. 
Consequently, the spout extension 22 in FIG. 7 is always in readiness for 
reattachment to the outlet 20. On the other hand, the funnel 10 
illustrated in FIG. 7 can be used without the spout extension 22 attached 
and the holding thereof as illustrated in FIG. 7 does not interfere in any 
way with the insertion of the end 20 into whatever tank or container that 
is to be filled with liquid. Of course, when the spout extension 22 is to 
be used, it is simply pulled upwardly through the opening 56 of the ring 
54 and then the coupling end 28 is pressed into the outlet 20 so as to 
establish the connection shown in FIG. 2. It can then be swiveled or 
rotated into the most appropriate position. 
Although the funnel 10 may be held in various ways, the extension support 
52, being diametrically opposite the loop 46, facilitates the more secure 
holding of the funnel during a pouring operation, as is believed evident 
in FIG. 8. More specifically, a young man 70 is depicted with his left 
hand 72 grasping the loop 46 and his right hand grasping the support 52. 
Another young man 76 is tilting a can 78 of gasoline and is pouring its 
contents into the funnel 10 so that the gasoline passes through the spout 
extension 22 into the upper end of an inclined pipe or tube 80 leading to 
a gas tank (not shown). The firm grasp made possible by the loop 46 and 
support 52 minimizes the chance of the person 70 inadvertently dropping 
the funnel 10 during the pouring operation, which is important when 
handling flammable, toxic or extremely hot liquids. It will be appreciated 
that the pipe 80 is only symbolic of a number of situations where it is 
more effectual for one person to hold the funnel 10 and a second person to 
pour the liquid. Thus, while the primary purpose of the support 52 is to 
hold the spout extension 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-7, the support 52 
has the secondary advantage depicted in FIG. 8. 
Therefore, it will be recognized that our invention does provide 
considerable versatility which can be advantageous during any of four 
stages. More specifically, the first stage is to be considered the 
shipping stage and a compact arrangement can be achieved, either by using 
the configuration of FIG. 3 or that of FIG. 5, the stacking enabling the 
various funnels 10 to be compactly packed for shipment. Secondly, and more 
importantly, when unpacked and ready to be displayed, either of the 
arrangements pictured in FIGS. 3 and 5 can be employed, the merchant 
frequently adopting the arrangement used for shipping. Both are not only 
an attention getting means for increasing sales but keep the particular 
spout extension 22 with its funnel 10 so that it does not get misplaced or 
lost. Thirdly, after the funnel 10 has been purchased, the user not only 
has a choice of having the spout extension 22 held in the fashion shown in 
either FIG. 3 or in FIG. 5 but he also can elect the arrangement of FIG. 
7. And fourthly, it enables the funnel 10 to be more readily and firmly 
held during a pouring operation.