Abstract:
A container includes a funnel having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end, the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the funnel. When a liquid or fine-grained substance (e.g., a powder) is placed within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second caps to the funnel at the first and second openings seals the liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/406,450, filed Oct. 25, 2010, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to funnel-shaped containers for storing, transporting, and transferring materials such as liquids and powders. 
         [0003]    Funnels are pipes with a wide opening at one end and a narrow opening at the other. They are generally used to channel liquids or fine-grained substances (e.g., powders) into containers with a small opening, such as a bottle, in order to avoid spillage. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The inventor has recognized that providing a funnel with removable caps at each end provides additional utility to a funnel. 
         [0005]    Various aspects of the invention are summarized as follows. 
         [0006]    In general, in a first aspect, the invention features a container, including a funnel having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening; a first cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the first end, the first cap sealing the first opening when attached to the funnel; and a second cap shaped to repeatedly attach to and detach from the funnel at the second end, the second cap sealing the second opening when attached to the funnel. When a liquid or fine-grained substance (e.g., a powder) is placed within the funnel volume, attaching the first and second caps to the funnel at the first and second openings seals the liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the container can include one or more of the following features. For example, the first and second caps can each include a disc-shaped planar portion sized to cover the first and second openings, respectively. 
         [0008]    The first cap can be shaped to screw on to the funnel at the first opening. The second cap can be shaped to screw on to the funnel at the second opening. 
         [0009]    The first cap can be shaped to snap on to the funnel at the first opening. The container can include a hinge element that fixedly attaches the first cap to the funnel. The second cap can be shaped to snap on to the funnel at the second opening. The container can include a hinge element that fixedly attaches the second cap to the funnel. 
         [0010]    The funnel volume can be two liters or less (e.g., one liter or less, 500 ml or less, 100 ml of less, 90 ml or less, 80 ml or less, 70 ml or less, 60 ml or less, 50 ml or less, 40 ml or less, 30 ml or less, 20 ml or less, 10 ml or less). 
         [0011]    Generally, the funnel volume should be sufficiently large so that upon removal of the caps the material contained in the funnel is removed due to gravitational flow. The openings should be sufficiently large so that the material does not become trapped in the funnel due to its surface energy. 
         [0012]    The container can include one or more ridges or grooves extending along an outer surface of the funnel between the first opening and the second opening. The one or more ridges(grooves) can have a height(depth) in a range from 0.01 mm to 3 mm. 
         [0013]    The funnel can include scale markings. The first cap can include a valve. 
         [0014]    The funnel can be formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. 
         [0015]    The first and/or second caps can be formed from a plastic, a cardboard, a glass, a metal, an alloy, or a ceramic. 
         [0016]    The funnel can include a threaded portion at the first end, and the first cap can include a threaded portion shaped to mate with the threaded portion of the funnel at the first end. The funnel can include a threaded portion at the second end, and the second cap comprises a threaded portion shaped to mate with the threaded portion of the funnel at the second end. 
         [0017]    The funnel can include a first conical portion. The first conical portion has a cone angle in a range between 10° and 90° (e.g., in a range between 10° and 60°, in a range between 10° and 45°. 
         [0018]    The funnel can include a second conical portion having a different cone angle from the cone angle of the first conical portion. The funnel can include a first cylindrical section, e.g., located at the first end of the funnel. The funnel can include a second cylindrical section, e.g., at the second end of the funnel. 
         [0019]    In general, in another aspect, the invention features a container, including: a funnel having a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end, the funnel defining a funnel volume between the first and second openings and the first opening being larger than the second opening; a first foil seal covering the funnel at the first end, the first foil seal sealing the first opening; and a second foil seal covering the funnel at the second end, the second foil seal sealing the second opening, wherein when a liquid or fine-grained substance is placed within the funnel volume the first and second foil seals seal the liquid or fine-grained substance within the funnel volume. 
         [0020]    Embodiments of the container can include one or more of the following features and/or features of other aspects. For example, the first and second foil seals can include a tab extending beyond the respective funnel openings, the tabs being sufficiently large to be gripped between a person&#39;s thumb and forefinger. The foil seals can be aluminum foil seals. Among other advantages, funnel-shaped containers can conveniently function to both store a liquid or fine-grained substance and to transfer the liquid or substance to another container in a manner that avoids spillage. Using such containers, a person can avoid having to carry both a funnel and a separate container. 
         [0021]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a funnel-shaped container with the caps separated; 
           [0023]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the funnel-shaped container shown in  FIG. 1A  with the caps attached; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a funnel-shaped container; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view through a wall of the funnel shown in  FIG. 2A , showing the profile of a ridge. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 1A , a funnel-shaped container  100  is composed of a funnel  110 , a first cap  120 , and a second cap  130 . Funnel  110  is a pipe including a conical section  116  (i.e., a frustum) between a two cylindrical sections  117  and  118 .  FIG. 1A  shows container  100  with caps  120  and  130  detached from funnel  110 .  FIG. 1B  shows the caps attached. At one end, funnel  110  has a wide opening  112 . At the opposite end, the funnel has a narrower opening  114 . The diameter of funnel  110  decreases monotonically from along the length of conical section  116 . Cylindrical sections  117  and  118  include screw threads on their outer surface for securing the funnel to caps  120  and  130 , respectively. 
         [0028]    Caps  120  and  130  each include a disc-shaped planar portion ( 122  and  132 , respectively) and a cylindrical portion ( 124  and  134 , respectively). Disc-shaped planar portions  122  and  132  are sized to cover funnel openings  112  and  114 , respectively. Cylindrical portions  122  and  134  include screw threads on their inner surfaces that mate to the screw threads, allowing one to easily secure the caps to and detach them from the funnel. When attached, caps  120  and  130  seal the funnel openings so that a liquid or powder, for example, in the funnel volume doesn&#39;t leak out. The caps can include an o-ring seal to facilitate a good seal with the funnel. 
         [0029]    Funnel  110  also includes a scale, allowing one to meter then amount of liquid or other substance placed into container  100 . 
         [0030]    In general, the volume and shape of funnel  110  can vary as desired and typically depends on the intended use for the funnel. The funnel volume can be in a range from 10 ml (e.g., 20 ml, 50 ml, 60 ml, 70 ml, 80 ml, 90 ml, 100 ml, 150 ml, 200 ml, 250 ml, 300 ml, 500 ml) to 1 liter or more. The size of each opening can also vary as desired. In some embodiments, smaller opening  114  has a diameter in a range from 0.5 cm (e.g., 0.75 cm, 1 cm, 1.5 cm, 2 cm, 2.5 cm) to 5 cm. Larger opening  112  can have a diameter in a range from 2 cm (e.g., 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm) to 10 cm or more (e.g., 15 cm, 20 cm). The ratio between the diameter of the large opening to the smaller opening can be 2-to-1 or more (e.g., 3-to-1 or more, 4-to-1 or more, 5-to-1 or more). 
         [0031]    The length (i.e., distance between the openings) of the funnel can also vary as desired. In some embodiments, the funnel has a length of 5 cm or more (e.g., 7.5 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 12 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 40 cm or more, 50 cm or more). The ratio between the length of the funnel and the diameter of the wide opening can be 1-to-1 or more (e.g., 4-to-3 or more, 3-to-2 or more, 2-to-1 or more, 3-to-1 or more, 4-to-1 or more, 5-to-1 or more, 6-to-1 or more). 
         [0032]    The cone angle of conical section  116  can vary as desired. The cone angle refers to the angle the conical section would form if extended to an apex. Generally, the cone angle should be sufficiently low so that the material in the funnel can flow out of the small opening under gravity when the small opening faces downward. The cone angle can be in a range from 10° (e.g., 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°) to 90° (e.g., 75°, 60°, 45°) or more. In some embodiments, conical section  116  includes portions having different cone angles. For example, section  116  can include a portion adjacent wide opening  112  has a first larger cone angle, while a portion adjacent opening  114  has a lower cone angle, e.g., forming a spout. 
         [0033]    While the funnels described above have smooth outer walls, other form factors are also possible. For example, in some embodiments, the outer wall of the funnel can include ridges or grooves extending between the two orifices. Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , for example, a funnel-shaped container  200  includes a funnel  200  that has ridges  212  on its outer surface. Ridges run between the funnel orifices and protrude a height, h, from the surface of funnel  200 . Generally, h can vary. In some embodiments, h is in a range from 0.1 mm (e.g., 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm) to 3 mm. 
         [0034]    Ridges or grooves may be beneficial as they can provide separation between the outer wall of the funnel and the inner surface of a container into which the funnel is used to transfer material. The separated surfaces provide channels through which displaced gas from the container can exit. This can facilitate easier funneling of liquid or powder into the container as displaced gas can exit the container through channels other than the funnel. 
         [0035]    Alternatively, or in addition to having grooves or ridges on the outer surface of the funnel, when the container includes threaded portions (i.e., for screw on caps), the threading may include discontinuities or undulations to avoid having the threading form a seal with the opening of a receiving container. 
         [0036]    While the foregoing funnel-shaped containers use threading to secure the caps to the funnel, other securing mechanisms are also possible. For example, snap-on caps can be used, such as those found in many commercially-available storage containers, such as containers branded Tupperware or Rubbermaid. Snap on caps can be fixedly attached to the funnel at each end with a hinge element. Generally, any securing mechanism that provides the user with the ability to easily (e.g., using only their hands) and repeatedly remove and secure the caps to the funnel, and that adequately seal the container can be used. 
         [0037]    While the caps described above are intended to repeatedly seal and un-seal the funnel openings, in some embodiments the openings can be sealed with a single use seal, such as an aluminum foil seal secured to the funnel at the openings by a releasable adhesive. The foil seal can include a tab to facilitate removal. The foil seal can be similar to those use in commercially-available food containers, such as yoghurt containers. In some embodiments, a cap, e.g., a snap-on cap, can be provided at one or both openings in addition to a removable seal. 
         [0038]    In general, the funnel-shaped containers can be formed from a variety of materials, such as plastics, glasses, or a metal or alloy (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). In some embodiments, the containers are formed from a plastic considered safe for storage of food or other nutritional products. Useable plastics may include, for example, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polystyrene, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene terephthalate ethylene, High-density polyethylene, Low-density polyethylene, and Polypropylene (PP). Useful glasses include, for example, commercially-available glasses used for kitchenware or laboratory purposes, e.g., pyrex. In some embodiments, the funnel can be formed from a ceramic material. 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, funnel-shaped containers are formed from cardboard, e.g., with a plastic liner to provide adequate sealing for liquid storage. 
         [0040]    In general, the caps and funnel can be formed from the same material, or from different materials. For example, the funnel can be formed from a glass, while the caps are formed from a plastic. 
         [0041]    The funnel-shaped containers can be formed using a variety of known methods, such as injection molding (e.g., for plastic containers) or conventional glassware-shaping methods (e.g., for glass containers). 
         [0042]    In general, the containers disclosed herein can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, they can be used by consumers for the storing, transport, and transfer of pre-measured amounts of a nutritional substance. For example, funnel-shaped containers can be used to store, transport, and/or transfer pre-measured amounts of baby-formula or a nutritional supplement (e.g., a protein powder or other dietary supplement). The volume of such containers can correspond to one or more servings (e.g., one, two, three, or four or more scoops) of the baby formula or nutritional supplement. 
         [0043]    Funnel-shaped containers can be used by airline passengers to store, transport, and/or transfer airline-security-permitted volumes (e.g., 3.4 oz, 100 ml or less) of liquids or powders in their carry-on luggage. For example, travellers can use funnel-shaped containers to store airline-security-permitted volumes of toiletries or nutritional substances. 
         [0044]    Funnel-shaped containers can also be used in a medical or laboratory environment. For example, containers can be used to transport, store and/or transfer medical specimens. In a laboratory, funnel-shaped containers can be used to transport, store, and/or transfer, e.g., specimens or reagents. 
         [0045]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in some embodiments one or both caps can include a valve (e.g., a stopper that plugs a small opening in the planar portion of the cap) that allows one to purge the funnel volume while emptying the container through the opposite opening. Such a valve can prevent formation of vacuum in the container that hinders removal of the liquid or substance from the container. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.