Abstract:
A funnel kit used to transfer liquids such as ketchup, shampoo, oil, etc., from one bottle to another bottle. It functions like a funnel but its structure and material composition (plastic/rubber) allows it to hold both bottles so that they would stay in place. Usually, the top bottle has very little liquid and the bottom bottle is almost full. The weight of the fuller bottom bottle would insure that the system would not topple over. This saves the unused liquid instead of throwing it out. Combining several similar devices allows for the transfer of viscous liquid from a smaller bottle to a bigger bottle and vice-versa.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid transfer between containers, and more particularly to a funnel kit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When small amounts of viscous liquids are left in a bottle, such as Ketchup, the remaining substance cannot be emptied in a reasonable amount of time. You would need to hold the bottle upside down for a long duration to completely empty it. This could take hours. Usually, the small amount remaining is thrown out causing waste and a loss of money. 
     Some inventions have been designed to remedy this problem but none have gone to market because they would be expensive to manufacture, over-designed or not very versatile. The following are all United States patents that show one of more of these defects: U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,499 to Alfred Fluster, U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,063 to Robert S. Pascarella, U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,941 to Vitale Catalano and U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,879 to Anton J. Blaser. Some cannot transfer viscous liquids from two bottles of different sizes or use bottles with short necks, such as shampoo bottles. Most of those inventions only suit long neck bottles such as the ketchup bottle. 
     Against this background, there exist a need for an improved device for transferring fluids between containers. 
     It is a general object of the present invention to provide such an improved device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a broad aspect, the invention provides a funnel kit, the funnel kit comprising: a first funnel, the first funnel defining opposed first funnel first and second ends and a first funnel passageway extending therebetween, the first funnel also defining a first funnel first end section extending from the first funnel first end, a longitudinally opposed first funnel second end section extending from the first funnel second end, and a first funnel middle section extending between the first funnel first and second end sections, the first funnel passageway being of smaller transversal cross-sectional area at the first funnel second end than at the first funnel first end; and a second funnel, the second funnel defining opposed second funnel first and second ends and a second funnel passageway extending therebetween, the second funnel also defining a second funnel first end section extending from the second funnel first end, a longitudinally opposed second funnel second end section extending from the second funnel second end, and a second funnel middle section extending between the second funnel first and second end sections, the second funnel passageway being of smaller transversal cross-sectional area at the second funnel second end than at the second funnel first end. The first and second funnels are configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein, in the first configuration, the second funnel is inserted in the first funnel such that the second funnel first and second end sections are respectively inside the first funnel first and second end sections; and in the second configuration, the first funnel is partially inserted in the second funnel such that the first funnel second end section is in the second funnel first end section and the first funnel first end section protrudes from the second funnel. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second funnels are spaced apart from each other in the first configuration, the funnel kit further comprising at least one additional funnel positioned between the first and second funnels in the first configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second funnels are resiliently deformable. For example, the first and second funnels are made of rubber. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second funnel first and second end sections are substantially frusto-conical and taper in a direction leading from respectively the first and second funnels first ends towards respectively the first and second funnels second ends. 
     In some embodiments, the first and second funnel middle sections are substantially frusto-conical and taper in a direction leading respectively from the first and second funnels first ends towards respectively the first and second funnels second ends, the first and second funnel middle sections tapering with a larger angle with a longitudinal axis of the first and second funnels than the first and second funnel first and second end sections. 
     In some embodiments, in the second configuration, the first funnel second end section is snugly fitted in the second funnel first end section. 
     In some embodiments, the kit comprises a plurality of funnels, each of the funnels being hollow and defining a funnel passageway, each of the funnels including a funnel first end section, an opposed funnel second end section and a funnel middle section extending therebetween, the plurality of funnels including the first and second funnels, the plurality of funnels including a largest funnel, the plurality of funnels being configurable to a compact configuration in which the funnels from the plurality of funnels are positioned one inside the other so that the plurality of funnels except the largest funnel are all inserted in the largest funnel. 
     In some embodiments, the funnels from the plurality of funnels are snugly fitted to each other in the compact configuration. 
     In some embodiments, the funnel middle sections of all of the funnels from the plurality of funnels are shorter than the funnel first and second end sections of all of the funnels from the plurality of funnels. In a specific embodiment, funnel middle sections are about 0.2 inches in length and the funnel first and second end sections are about 0.6 inches in length. In a specific embodiment, the funnel middle section has an aperture of about 60 degrees. In a specific embodiment, the funnel first and second end sections have an aperture of about 14.25 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, all of the funnels from the plurality of funnels are similarly shaped. 
     In some embodiments, all of the funnels from the plurality of funnels each include a funnel peripheral wall surrounding the funnel passageway and having a peripheral wall thickness, the funnel peripheral walls each having an outer dimension at each longitudinal position therealong that differs by an integer multiple of twice the peripheral wall thickness from an outer dimension of all the other ones of the funnel peripheral walls at a corresponding longitudinal position therealong. 
     In some embodiments, the funnel peripheral walls each have an outer dimension at each longitudinal position therealong in the funnel first end section that differs by an integer multiple of twice the peripheral wall thickness from an outer dimension at a corresponding longitudinal position in the funnel second end section. 
     This invention uses a device that works like a funnel which holds two bottles when transferring viscous liquids from a nearly empty top bottle to a nearly full bottom bottle. Because of its structure and material that has rubbery and elastic characteristics, the two bottles will stay in place when the device is forcefully inserted in the bottom bottle and the top bottle is forcefully inserted in it. The material may advantageously also be non toxic so that edible food can be transferred. 
     The bottom bottle is usually almost full and its weight will ensure that the structure will not topple over. The design of the device also ensures that bottles with short necks can be used. Shampoo bottles would fall into this category. 
     The basic shape of the device is repeated into smaller and bigger sizes. Combining the similar devices allows us to transfer viscous liquids from two bottles of different sizes. When transferring viscous liquid from an almost empty bottle to a fuller bottle the amount of liquid in the emptier bottle will not create a blockage where the two bottles meet due to the small amount of liquid being transferred and its speed. This will permit for an opening to exist, allowing the air to be displaced from the fuller bottle to the emptier bottle. Once the setup is done, the user can leave the structure in place and after an hour or so, all of the substance of the top bottle will be displaced to the bottom bottle. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 , in a perspective view, illustrates an embodiment of a funnel part of a funnel kit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 , in a perspective view, is an example of how the funnel shown in  FIG. 1  is used; 
         FIG. 3 , in a cut-away view, illustrates various parameters of the funnel shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4 , in a perspective view, illustrates all the funnels part of the funnel kit inserted in one another in a compact configuration; 
         FIG. 5 , in a perspective view, illustrates an example of transfer of a liquid from a smaller bottle to a bigger bottle using the funnel kit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6 , in a perspective view, illustrates an example of transfer of a liquid from a larger bottle to a smaller bottle using the funnel kit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 7 to 9  illustrate various stacking arrangements for the funnels of the funnel kit shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 10 , in a table, illustrates table 1 which includes exemplary measurements of the various funnels composing a funnel kit in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11 , in a table, illustrates table 2 which illustrates various stacking arrangements achievable using the funnel kit detailed in table 1 of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention concerns a funnel kit  10 , shown for example in  FIG. 4 . The funnel kit  10  includes at least two, and typically more than two funnels. The funnel kit  10  shown in the drawings includes five funnels  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d  and  12   e . Typically, the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  all have the same shape and differ only in size. 
     In this document, the terminology “substantially” and “about” is used to denote variations in the thus qualified terms that have no significant effect on the principle of operation of the invention. These variations may be minor variations in design or variations due to mechanical tolerances in manufacturing and use of the various components of the invention. These variations and their effects are to be understood from the point of view of a person skilled in the art to which the present invention relates. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , funnel  12   e  is shown and its structure is described in further details. Since all the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are similar in shape, only the funnel  12   e  is described in details herein, with the understanding that the other funnels are similar. Also, to simplify the description of the present invention, structures related to one of the specific funnel  12 X, with X taking values a, b, c, d and e are denoted with a final letter corresponding to the specific funnel. For example, since  FIG. 1  illustrates the funnel  12   e , all the sub-elements of funnel  12   e  will have a letter “e” in their corresponding reference numerals. If similar structures for other funnels are used in the present description, they will have this letter “e” changed by the appropriate letter without needing formal description of all the funnels  12   a  to  12   d . While specific funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are described hereinbelow, funnels having other shapes are also possible. 
     The funnel  12   e  defines opposed funnel first and second ends  14   e  and  16   e  and a funnel passageway  18   e  extending therebetween. The funnel  12   e  also defines a funnel first end section  20   e  extending from the funnel first end  14   e , a longitudinally opposed funnel second end section  22   e  extending from the funnel second end  16   e , and a funnel middle section  24   e  extending between the funnel first and second end sections  22   e  and  24   e . The funnel passageway  16   e  is of smaller transversal cross-sectional area at the funnel second end  16   e  than at the funnel first end  14   e . Typically, the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are resiliently deformable. This is achieved for example by manufacturing the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  with rubber. 
     Returning to the description of the specific funnel  12   e , the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e  are substantially frusto-conical and taper in a direction leading from the funnel first end  14   e  towards the funnel second end  16   e . Also, the funnel middle section  24   e  is substantially frusto-conical and tapers in a direction leading from the funnel first end  14   e  towards the funnel second end  16   e . Therefore, the funnel  12   e  continuously reduces in diameter from the funnel first end  14   e  to the funnel second end  16   e.    
     The funnel middle section  24   e  tapers with a larger angle than the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e . In other words, the diameter of the funnel middle section  24   e  decreases more rapidly than the diameter of the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e  for each unit displacement along the funnel  12   e  towards the funnel second end  16   e . Typically, the funnel middle section  24   e  is shorter than the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e.    
     The funnels kit  10  includes a largest funnel, in the example shown in the drawings funnel  12   e . The funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are configurable to a compact configuration in which the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are positioned one inside the other so that the funnels  12   a  to  12   d , that is all the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  except the largest funnel  12   e , are all inserted in the largest funnel  12   e . The compact configuration is shown in  FIG. 4 . Typically, the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  are snugly fitted to each other in the compact configuration. In the compact configuration, the funnel first end sections  20   a  to  20   d  of the funnels  12   a  to  12   d  are all in the funnel first end section  20   e  of the funnel  12   e , and the funnel second end sections  22   a  to  22   d  of the funnels  12   a  to  12   d  are all in the funnel second end section  22   e  of the funnel  12   e.    
     In a specific example, the funnel middle section  24   e  is about 0.2 inches in length and the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e  are about 0.6 inches in length. Also, the funnel middle section has an aperture of about 60 degrees and the funnel first and second end sections  20   e  and  22   e  have an aperture of about 14.25 degrees. The aperture is the conventional aperture for cones, that is the angle between opposed generatrix lines thereof, the cone being the cone from which a frustum is taken to obtain the different parts of the funnels  12   a  to  12   e.    
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the funnel  12   e  can be used by itself to interconnect two bottles  26  of similar dimensions neck-to-neck to transfer liquids therebetween. However, the funnel kit  10  is particularly advantageous as it allows also interconnecting bottles having different dimensions. 
     For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates using all the funnels  12   a  to  12   e , in other words the whole funnel kit  10  in the compact configuration, to interconnect a small bottle  28  and a large bottle  30  neck-to-neck. Using suitable subsets of the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  brings flexibility to the dimensions of the bottles  28  and  30  that can be interconnected in this manner. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another configuration in which funnel  12   e  and funnel  12   b  are assembled to transfer a fluid from the larger bottle  30  to the smaller bottle  28 . In this configuration, the funnel  12   e , that is the larger funnel, is partially inserted in the funnel  12   b , that is the smaller funnel, such that the funnel second end section  22   e  is in the funnel first end section  20   b , and typically snugly fitted therein, and the funnel first end section  20   e  protrudes from the funnel  12   b . This configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 8  and also in  FIG. 7  for the funnels  12   a  and  12   d . It should be notes that the funnels  12   b  and  12   e  are spaced apart from each other in the compact configuration, with at least one additional funnel, in this specific case funnels  12   c  and  12   d , positioned therebetween. In other words, the funnels  12   b  and  12   e  are not immediate successors in size in the funnel kit  10 . 
     In yet another configuration, the two configurations described above are mixed. For example, in  FIG. 9 , funnels  12   b ,  12   c  and  12   d  are in a compact configuration and together partially inserted in the funnel  12   a . In turn, funnel  12   e  is partially inserted in funnel  12   b.    
     To provide for stable arrangements, the funnel second end sections  22   a  to  22   e  that is inserted in a bottle, for example bottle  26 , is forced therein. Also, the bottle, for example bottle  26 , that is inserted in the funnel first end sections  20   a  to  20   e  is also forced therein. Since the funnel kit  10  is made of a rubbery/elastic material, not much force will be needed to achieve a secured fit. The top bottle  26  should be placed perpendicular to the ground to insure that the structure will not tip over. Once the setup is done, the transfer of viscous liquid from the top bottle to the bottom bottle will commence. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the nomenclature used in Table 1 (shown in  FIG. 10 ), which gives a specific example for dimensions of the funnels  12   a  to  12   e . The thickness of the peripheral wall of the funnels  12   a  to  12   e , E, is about 0.05 inches. The length of F and H is about 0.6 inches and the length of G is about 0.2 inches. 
     In order to transfer viscous liquids from different sized bottles  26 , many funnels  12   a  to  12   e  of the same basic shape are needed. Table 1 specifies the inner diameters at various locations in the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  in an example of implementation. Note the difference between any adjacent cells in table 12 is twice E, which equals 0.1 if we use E equals 0.05. 
     More pieces, bigger or smaller can be added to Table 1, but the rule with adjacent cells being twice E must always be respected. This ensures that at each longitudinal location therealong, the funnels  12   a  to  12   e  differ in outer dimension by an integer multiple of twice E, with this integer multiple being one for successive funnels  12   a  to  12   e.    
     Also, for each funnel  12   a  to  12   e , the difference between A and C is equal to the difference between B and D, which is equal to an integer number times twice E. This ensures that at each longitudinal location therealong, the funnel first end section  20   a  to  20   e  differ in outer dimension by an integer multiple of twice E from an outer dimension of the corresponding funnel second end section  22   a  to  22   e . This allows insertion of larger funnels in smaller funnels with a tight fit. 
     Table 2, shown in  FIG. 11 , illustrates how the various funnels  12   a  to  12   e  can be stacked so that a tight fit is achieved from a top funnel to a bottom funnel. In the sequence, a funnel to the right of the arrow is inserted in the funnel to the left of the arrow. 
     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.