Patent Publication Number: US-2022227616-A1

Title: Funnel with Vents for Viscous Fluids

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/137,983 filed on Jan. 15, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top isometric view of a vented funnel in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  for connection to a container; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged diagonal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4  connected to a container; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 8  is an isometric sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top isometric view of a vented funnel in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  13 - 13  of  FIG. 12  for connection to a container; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged diagonal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 12  connected to a container; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 16  is an isometric sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top isometric view of a vented funnel in accordance with yet a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a bottom isometric view thereof; 
         FIG. 19  is a top plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom plan view thereof; 
         FIG. 21  is an enlarged cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20  for connection to a container; 
         FIG. 22  is an enlarged diagonal cross-sectional view thereof taken along line  22 - 22  of  FIG. 20  connected to a container; 
         FIG. 23  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
         FIG. 24  is a side elevational view thereof; and 
         FIG. 25  is an isometric sectional view taken along line  25 - 25  of  FIG. 23 . 
     
    
    
     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 to  FIGS. 1-6  in particular, a vented funnel  10  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The vented funnel  10  is 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 container  12  ( FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 ) with a narrow opening  14  surrounded by a neck  16  with external threads  18 . The vented funnel  10  of the present invention can be connected to the neck  16  of a container  12  to 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 opening  14  into the container  12 , 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 funnel  10 , 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 to  FIGS. 1-8 , the vented funnel  10  preferably includes a base portion  20 , a converging portion  22  positioned above the base portion, a nozzle portion  24  extending downwardly from the converging portion, and a vent portion  26  located between the base portion  20  and the converging portion  22 . A central axis  25  extends through the base portion  20 , nozzle portion  24 , and converging portion  22 . 
     The base portion  20  preferably includes an annular side wall  30  with an upper edge  32 , a lower edge  34 , an outer surface  36  extending between the upper and lower edges, and in inner surface  38  spaced concentrically from the outer surface  36  and extending between the upper and lower edges. Internal threads  40  are formed on the inner surface  38  of the annular side wall  30  for engaging the external threads  18  ( FIGS. 5 &amp; 6 ) of the storage container neck  16  to provide a stable connection between the vented funnel  10  and the container. However, it will be understood that the vented funnel  10  can be used with other containers, threaded or unthreaded. It will be further understood that the threads  40  can 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 portion  20  can 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 portion  22  comprises a continuous wall  41  with a first converging section  42 , a second converging section  44  extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section  42 , and a third converging section  46  extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section  44  to the nozzle portion  24 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 , the first converging section  42  and the third converging section  46  are preferably conical in shape, while the second converging section  44  gently curves between the first and third converging sections. In addition, as best shown in  FIG. 5 , the first converging section  42  has a first angle or slope A 1  with respect to horizontal and a first height H 1 , the second converging section  44  has a radius of curvature R 2  and a second height H 2 , while the third converging section  46  has a second angle or slope A 3  and a third height H 3 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and by way of example, the first angle or slope A 1  is greater than the second angle or slope A 3 , while the first height H 1  is greater than the third height H 3 , and much greater than the second height H 2 , while the radius of curvature R 2  is greater than the height H 2 . In this manner, the present invention ensures that fluid entering the converging portion  22  moves through the first converging section  42  at a first average flow or discharge rate, transitions through the second converging section  44  at a second average flow or discharge rate, and flows through the third converging section  46  at a third average flow or discharge rate. With the curved shape of the second converging section  44 , the first average flow rate transitions smoothly to the third average flow rate, ensuring laminar flow throughout the converging portion  22 . By way of example, the first angle A 1  and first height H 1  are greater than the third angle A 3  and the third height H 3 , respectively. Accordingly, the first flow rate is greater than the third flow rate, while the second flow rate changes through the radius of curvature R 1  between the first and third flow rates. In this manner, fluid pressure at the entrance  48  of the nozzle portion  24  advantageously 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 portion  26 . 
     The nozzle portion  24  preferably includes an annular nozzle wall  50  extending downward from the third converging section  46  defining a discharge orifice or port  53 . A height H 4  of the nozzle portion  24  is much smaller than each of the heights H 1 , H 2 , and H 3  of the first, second and third converging sections  42 ,  44 , and  46 , respectively. The height H 4  of the nozzle portion is preferably selected to thereby minimize the amount of material required for the vented funnel  10 , 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 H 4  of the nozzle portion, although relatively small, is sufficient to prevent liquids, and more especially viscous liquids, from being sucked into the vent portion  26  and expelled outside of the container during use. 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H 4  is generally in the range of about 0.15×H 3  to about 0.75×H 3 , and more particularly in the range of about 0.20×H 3  to about 0.30×H 3 . 
     Likewise, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H 3  of the third converging section  46  is generally in the range of about 0.15×H 1  to about 0.75×H 1 , and more particularly in the range of about 0.20×H 1  to about 0.30×H 1 . 
     Moreover, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the height H 2  of the second converging section  46  is generally in the range of about 0.10×H 1  to about 0.30×H 1 , and more particularly in the range of about 0.12×H 1  to about 0.20×H 1 . 
     With the above-described exemplary ranges, when the H 1  of the first converging section is about three inches, for example, the heights H 2 , H 3  and H 4  have proportional values so that liquid traveling through the vented funnel  10  is efficiently transferred to a container. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-8 , the vent portion  26  is located between the base portion  20  and the converging portion  22  and includes a plurality of supports or ribs  52  that extend between the upper edge  32  of the base portion  20  and the continuous wall  41  associated with the third converging section  46  and a section of the second converging section  42 , such that the converging portion  22  is spaced from the base portion  20  and supported solely by the ribs  52 . Vent openings  54  are located between adjacent ribs  52  to allow air to escape from the container  12 , as shown by arrows  55  in  FIG. 6 , when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , four ribs  52  extend radially outwardly from the central axis  25  of the nozzle portion  24  and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion  24  to form four vent openings  54  through 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 in  FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 , each rib  52  is generally triangular in shape and has a variable thickness that tapers from the base portion  20  to the converging portion  22 , with the thickness T 1  ( FIG. 4 ) at the base portion being greater than a thickness T 2  at the converging portion. Likewise, in order to maximize the area of each vent opening  54 , the thickness T 1  of each rib is much less than an inner arc length  56  ( FIG. 4 ) of the vent opening associated with the nozzle portion, and thus an outer arch length  58  of the vent opening associated with the base portion. 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 4 , and as more clearly shown in the enlarged view, each vent opening  54 , as viewed in the bottom plan view, forms a two-dimensional truncated conical shaped area  60  (shown in thicker dashed line) defined by a first edge  52 A of one rib  52 , the outer arc or arc length  58 , a second edge  52 B of an adjacent rib  52 , and the inner arc or arc length  56 . Preferably, the combined truncated conical shaped areas  60  of the vent openings  54  is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port  53  of the nozzle portion  24 , so that air within the container  12  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 H 4  of the nozzle portion  24 , 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 H 4  of the nozzle portion  24  also helps to inhibit liquid exiting through the discharge port from being sucked through the vent openings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-16 , a vent funnel  110  in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The vented funnel  110  is somewhat similar to the vented funnel  10  previously described, with the exception of a vent portion  126  and changes in the surrounding structure of the converging portion  122  to accommodate the particular exemplary configuration of the vent portion  126 . 
     The converging portion  122  comprises a continuous wall  141  with the first converging section  42 , the second converging section  44  extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section  42 , and a third converging section  146  extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section  44  to the nozzle portion  24 . 
     The vent portion  126  is located between the base portion  20  and the converging portion  122  and includes a plurality of supports or ribs  152  that extend between the upper edge  32  of the base portion  20  and the continuous wall  141  associated with the third converging section  146 . Vent openings  154  are located between adjacent ribs  152  to allow air to escape from the container  12 , as shown by arrows  55  in  FIG. 14 , when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion  24 . Lower wall segments  155  (see  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) of the continuous wall  141  extend to the base portion  20  around the vent openings  154 , so that the converging portion  122  is supported by both the ribs  152  and the lower wall segments  155 . 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and as best shown in  FIG. 12 , four ribs  152  extend radially outwardly from the central axis  25  of the nozzle portion  24  and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion  24  to form four vent openings  154  through which air in the container can escape. Likewise, four wall segments  155  are in alignment with the ribs  152  for adding additional support for the base portion  20 . 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 in  FIG. 13 , each rib  152  is generally triangular in shape and has an increasing thickness as it extends downwardly from the third converging section  146  toward the base portion  20 . 
     With particular reference to  FIG. 15 , and as more clearly shown in the enlarged view, each vent opening  154 , as seen in the side elevational view, forms a two-dimensional truncated conical shaped area  160  (shown in thicker dashed line) defined by a first edge  152 A of one rib  152 , an outer arc or arc length  158 , a second edge  1528  located adjacent to the base portion  20 , and an inner arc or arc length  156 . Preferably, the combined truncated conical shaped areas  160  of the vent openings  154  is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port  53  of the nozzle portion  24 , so that air within the container  12  ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) 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 H 4  of the nozzle portion  24 , 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 H 4  of the nozzle portion  24  also helps to inhibit liquid exiting through the discharge port from being sucked through the vent openings. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17-24 , a vent funnel  210  in accordance with yet a further exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The vented funnel  210  is somewhat similar to the vented funnel  10  and the vented funnel  110  previously described, with the exception of a vent portion  226  and changes in the surrounding structure of the converging portion  222  to accommodate the particular exemplary configuration of the vent portion  226 . 
     The converging portion  222  comprises a continuous wall  241  with the first converging section  42 , the second converging section  44  extending downwardly and inwardly from the first converging section  42 , and a third converging section  246  extending downwardly and inwardly from the second converging section  44  to the nozzle portion  24 . 
     The vent portion  226  is located between the base portion  20  and the converging portion  222  and includes a plurality of supports or ribs  252  that extend between the upper edge  32  of the base portion  20  and the continuous wall  241  associated with the third converging section  246 . Vent openings  254  are located between adjacent ribs  252  to allow air to escape from the container  12 , as shown by arrows  55  in  FIG. 22 , when displaced by liquid discharged into the container from the nozzle portion  24 . Lower wall segments  255  of the continuous wall  241  extend to the base portion  20  around the vent openings  254 , so that the converging portion  222  is supported by both the ribs  252  and the lower wall segments  255 . 
     In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, and as best shown in  FIG. 20 , six ribs  252  extend radially outwardly from the central axis  25  of the nozzle portion  24  and are spaced equidistant about a periphery of the nozzle portion  24  to form six vent openings  254  through which air in the container can escape. Likewise, six wall segments  255  are in alignment with the ribs  252  for adding additional support for the base portion  20 . 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 in  FIG. 21 , each rib  252  is generally triangular in shape and has an increasing thickness as it extends downwardly from the third converging section  146  toward the base portion  20 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 18, 23, and 25 , and as more clearly shown in  FIG. 25 , each vent opening  254 , as seen in the side elevational view, forms a two-dimensional generally trapezoidal shaped area  260  defined by a first edge  252 A of one rib  252 , a first edge  258  associated with the wall  241 , a second edge  252 B of an adjacent rib  252 , and an inner arc or arc length  256 . Preferably, the combined area of the trapezoidal shaped areas  260  of the vent openings  254  is approximately equal to the area of the discharge port  53  of the nozzle portion  24 , so that air within the container  12  ( FIGS. 21 and 22 ) can escape as fast as it is displaced by liquid entering into the container from the vented funnel  210 , thereby avoiding interference with liquid flowing through the funnel. The placement of the vent openings  254  around the discharge port  53 , along with the relatively small height H 4  of the nozzle portion  24 , 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 H 4  of the nozzle portion  24  also 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. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It will be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.