Abstract:
A funnel set includes a large funnel and a small funnel nestable therein and a strainer which can be seated in either funnel. The large funnel has lugs to retain the strainer and the strainer has an upstanding central handle stem. When the strainer is seated in the large funnel and the small funnel is nested in the large funnel, the narrow outlet end of the small funnel receives the strainer&#39;s handle stem and the tip of a handle on the small funnel fits within an aperture in the handle of the large funnel. Both funnels have longitudinal, circumferentially spaced, elastomeric strips on the outer surfaces thereof, and elastomeric grip portions on the handles.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date of copending U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/339,051, filed Dec. 7, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    This application relates to funnels and, in particular, to funnels of the type designed for household use. The application relates in particular to sets of funnels of different sizes.  
           [0003]    A wide variety of shapes and sizes of funnels has heretofore been provided for a variety of different general household applications, including applications for use in the kitchen, automotive uses and the like. A funnel typically includes a relatively wide-mouthed upper bowl region and a narrow spout opening designed to be fitted into the openings of associated receptacles into which material is to be poured. Funnels are commonly provided with tapered spouts so that they will fit in a variety of different-sized receptacle necks or inlet openings. However, prior funnels have been susceptible to slipping or tilting sideways in use, particularly funnels having relatively short outlet spouts or necks.  
           [0004]    It is also known to provide funnels in sets of different sizes for different applications. However, heretofore, such sets of different-sized funnels have not been characterized by designs which facilitate compact, nested storage.  
           [0005]    It is also known to provide funnels with built-in or removable strainers, but such strainers are typically designed for use with a specific size and shape of funnel and tend to impair nesting of sets of funnels.  
           [0006]    It is also known to provide funnels with handles to facilitate grasping in use. However, heretofore, such handles have tended to impair the nesting of sets of funnels and have either been relatively large or have been difficult to grasp, securely, particularly for people with impaired grasping ability.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0007]    This application discloses an improved funnel construction and a set of funnels which avoid the disadvantages of prior funnel arrangements while affording additional structural and operating advantages.  
           [0008]    An aspect is the provision of a funnel which is readily adapted for use with different-sized receptacle openings, while inhibiting slipping or sliding sideways movement in such openings.  
           [0009]    A further aspect is provision of a funnel of the type set forth which provides an improved ergonomic handle with an improved grip which facilitates nesting of plural funnels.  
           [0010]    A further aspect is the provision of a set of different-sized funnels which can conveniently be stored by nesting one within another.  
           [0011]    Yet another aspect is the provision of a funnel set of the type set forth with a removable strainer which is useable with each of the different-sized funnels.  
           [0012]    In connection with the foregoing aspect, a still further aspect is the provision of a funnel set of the type set forth wherein the strainer can be nested for storage between adjacent funnels of the set. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a funnel set in a nested condition;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the funnel set of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the set of FIG. 2, rotated 90° counterclockwise;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line  4 - 4  in FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a reduced, exploded, perspective view of the funnel of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the large funnel of the set of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is an enlarged top plan view of the funnel of FIG. 6;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the funnel of FIG. 6;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the small funnel of the set of FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the funnel of FIG. 9 with the strainer of FIG. 5 shown seated therein in broken lines;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is an enlarged top plan view of the funnel of FIG. 9;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 is an enlarged bottom plan view of the funnel of FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the strainer of the set of FIGS.  1 - 5 ;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a reduced bottom plan view of the strainer of FIG. 13;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a reduced top plan view of the strainer of FIG. 13;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the strainer of FIG. 15;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the strainer of FIG. 15; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along the line  18 - 18  in FIG. 16. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , there is illustrated a funnel set, generally designated by the numeral  20 , including a large funnel  21 , a small funnel  40  and a strainer  60 , all shaped and sized so that they can be nested together for storage, as can best be seen in FIG. 4. Referring also to FIGS.  6 - 8 , the large funnel  21  has a one-piece body  22  formed, as by molding, of a suitable plastic material which is resistant to high heat, so that it can be used for pouring boiling liquids, and may also be designed to be resistant to common household liquids or chemicals with which it may be used. Suitable materials may include nylon or polypropylene. The body  22  is substantially circular in transverse cross section with a continuously curved longitudinal cross-sectional shape of variable slope, and includes a relatively large-diameter upper bowl  23 , the lower end of which is joined by a tapered neck  24  to a short, substantially cylindrical spout  25 , which terminates at a narrow end to define a narrow outlet opening. The upper end of the bowl  23  is provided with an out-turned lip  26 , which defines a wide inlet opening or mouth for the funnel  20 , and is provided at one side with a laterally outwardly projecting handle  27 , having a generally oval-shaped opening  28  formed therethrough. Projecting laterally inwardly from the inner surface from the body  22  are three short, equiangularly spaced-apart lugs  29  (FIGS. 4 and 7) which lie in a common plane disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the funnel  21 , for a purpose to be explained more fully below.  
         [0033]    Formed in the outer surface of the body  22  are three equiangularly spaced-apart, shallow recesses or grooves  30  (see FIG. 8) which extend longitudinally from the distal end of the spout  25  up into the lower region of the bowl  23 , each recess  30  being substantially rectangular in shape, but with a rounded upper end. Respectively fixedly secured in the recesses  30  are three elongated strips  31  formed of an elastomeric material, such as that sold under the trade name SANTOPRENE, each strip  31  having a thickness such that it projects slightly outwardly of the outer surface of the body  22 , as can be seen, for example in FIGS. 2 and 6, but thinning to blend into the outer surface of the body  22  at upper ends  32 . The handle  27  is slightly curved, having a convex upper surface and a concave lower surface, and projects upwardly slightly above the level of the lip  26  and terminates at a distal end which may be slightly below of the level of the lip  26 , as can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The handle  27  is provided with a grip pad  34  formed of an elastomeric material, which may be the same material as is used for the strips  3   1 . The grip pad  34  lines the inside of the opening  28  and has a lower part  35  which covers most of the underside of the handle  27  and extends slightly downwardly along the outside of the bowl  23 , and an upper part  36  which extends around the periphery of the opening  28 . It will be appreciated that the grip pad  34  provides improved frictional gripping surfaces to facilitate gripping of the handle  27  by the thumb and forefinger of a user, being particularly helpful when the handle  27  is wet. The tapered construction of the neck  24  facilitates use of the funnel  21  in a variety of different-sized receptacle openings. The strips  3   1  provide a secure frictional fit in the opening of the associated receptacle to inhibit lateral or rotational sliding of the funnel in the receptacle neck, thereby minimizing the chance of spillage in use. The strips  31  also permit the regions of the body  22  therebetween to form vent openings to facilitate displacement of air from the receptacle being filled.  
         [0034]    Referring also to FIGS.  9 - 12 , the small funnel  40  is similar in construction in the large funnel  21 , except that it is of a smaller size and accordingly somewhat different shape, and lacks the lugs  29 . More specifically, the small funnel  40  has a one-piece body  42  which may be formed of the same material as the body  22  of the large funnel  21 . The body  42  has a large-diameter bowl  43  which is joined at its lower end by a tapered neck  44  to a short cylindrical outlet spout  45 , which terminates at a narrow end to define a narrow outlet opening. The upper end of the bowl  43  is provided with a laterally out-turned lip  46  around the circumference thereof, which defines a wide inlet opening or mouth for the funnel  40 , and is provided at one side with a laterally outwardly projecting handle  47 , which may be curved similarly to the handle  27  of the large funnel  21  and has a generally oval-shaped opening  48  formed therethrough.  
         [0035]    Formed in the outer surface of the body  42  at equiangularly spaced-apart locations are three shallow recesses or grooves  50  (see FIG. 12.), each extending longitudinally from the distal end of the spout  45  to approximately midway along the height of the bowl  43 , each recess  50  being substantially rectangular in shape, but with a rounded upper end. Respectively secured in the recesses  50  are strips  51  of elastomeric material, which may be the same as the material of the strips  3   1 , described above. Each strip  51  has a thickness such that it projects slightly outwardly of the outer surface of the body  42 , but thinning to blend into the outer surface of the body  42  at an upper end  52 . Handle  47  is provided with a grip pad  54  of elastomeric material, which may be the same as that of the grip pad  34 , described above. The grip pad  54  has a lower part  55  which covers most of the underside of the handle  47 , extending a slight distance downwardly along the outer surface of the bowl  43  (see FIG. 10). The grip pad  54  also has a upper part  56  which extends through and fills the opening  48 . The small funnel  40  functions in substantially the same manner as was described above for the large funnel  21 . It will be appreciated that the small funnel  40  is sized and shaped so that it can be nested within the large funnel  21  for storage purposes, as illustrated, for example, in FIGS.  1 - 5 . In this regard, the opening  28  in the handle  27  of the large funnel  21  accommodates the tip of the small funnel handle  47  (see FIGS. 1 and 4).  
         [0036]    Referring now also to FIGS.  13 - 17 , the strainer  60  includes a perforated plastic body  61  which is formed generally in the shape of a shallow bowl, preferably being of unitary, one-piece construction. For example, the strainer  60  may be molded of the same type of material as is used for the funnels  21  and  40 . The body  61  has a plurality of substantially circular apertures  62  formed therethrough and is provided with a slightly larger circular central opening  63  therethrough. The upper edge of the body  61  is provided with a rounded circumferential rim  64 . A handle  65  projects upwardly from the upper surface of the body  61  centrally thereof The handle  65  includes a hollow circularly cylindrical stem  66  coaxial with the central opening  63  and communicating therewith, being provided along its outer surface with a plurality of equiangularly spaced, longitudinally extending stiffening flanges  67 , which join the upper surface of the body  61 . The upper end of the stem  66  is provided with inwardly tapered opposite sides  68 , which cooperate to define a thin, flattened grip  69 .  
         [0037]    In use, the strainer  60  may be seated in either of the large or small funnels  21  or  40 , as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 10, such as for straining particulates from poured liquids or the like. The strainer  60  is shaped so that its rim  64  can snap past the lugs  29  on the large funnel  21 , so that the lugs  29  will serve to retain it in position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.  
         [0038]    Significantly, all three parts of the funnel set can be nested together for storage, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. For this purpose the strainer  60  is seated in the large funnel  21  and then the small funnel  40  is nested in the large funnel  21 , so that the handle  65  of the strainer  60  projects upwardly into the spout  45  of the small funnel  40 , serving to maintain the parts in a coaxial arrangement.  
         [0039]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants&#39; contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.