Patent Publication Number: US-11377336-B2

Title: Funnel

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority filing benefit of Australian Patent Application No. 2019100856 filed Aug. 2, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a funnel for use with a vehicle. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for use in manually pouring fuel into a fuel tank of a vehicle from a fuel container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Filling a car fuel tank from a container, typically a sealable jerry-can, is generally awkward and difficult. A person must insert a funnel into the opening of the vehicle fuel tank and hold it in position while decanting the fuel from the container. The fuel container is often heavy and the process of filling the car fuel tank is slow. Refilling is slow because of the limited volume of fuel that can enter the funnel at any one time. Often the fuel will spill and overflow the sides of the funnel. Spilling of fuel around the opening of the fuel tank will often stain the car. 
     This problem is not limited to cars. Lawn mowers, large diesel trucks, outboard and inboard motors and any fuel tank associated with a motor faces these problems when trying to manually refill the fuel tank. 
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least in part one or more of the above mentioned problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel that has a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein the opposite end is fixable to or within a fuel tank inlet so that in a fixed position the funnel is operational and does not need a person to hold it in position. 
     A funnel that has a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein the opposite end is fixable to or within a fuel tank inlet so that in a fixed position the funnel can be used to receive fuel from a container without the need for the funnel to be held in position. 
     The funnel can be fixed to the fuel tank inlet by any suitable arrangement including friction-fitting arrangement; complementary locating and fixing features associated with both the funnel outlet and fuel tank opening such as screw threads and bayonet fittings; and adjustable clamping arrangements. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has a screw thread on or about the opening of the fuel tank, said funnel having a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a screw thread that is complementary to a screw thread associated with the fuel tank opening. 
     The threaded outer surface of the funnel is preferably arranged so that the funnel can be fastened to the fuel tank opening so that the funnel is in an operational position when the funnel is fastened to the fuel tank. 
     Preferably the funnel includes a locking nut that locks the fastened funnel and prevents it from accidental movement. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has one part of a bayonet-type fitting on or about the fuel tank opening, said funnel having a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a complementary second part bayonet-type fitting. 
     In another aspect the invention broadly resides in a funnel that has a wide open inlet with a periphery that is substantially horizontal when the funnel is fixed to the inlet opening of the fuel tank. 
     Preferably the funnel is in an upright position when the funnel is fixed to the inlet opening of the fuel tank. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel that has a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, said wide open inlet has a periphery; wherein the opposite end is fixable to or within a fuel tank inlet so that in a fixed position the funnel is operational and does not need a person to hold it in position; wherein the inlet periphery is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has a screw thread on or about the opening of the fuel tank, said funnel having a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a screw thread that is complementary to a screw thread associated with the fuel tank opening; wherein a periphery of the funnel wide open inlet is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has one part of a bayonet-type fitting on or about the fuel tank opening, said funnel having a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a complementary second part bayonet-type fitting; wherein a periphery of the funnel wide open inlet is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has one part of a bayonet-type fitting or threaded portion on or about the fuel tank opening, said funnel having a wide open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a complementary second part bayonet-type fitting or a complementary threaded portion depending on the respective connector type on or about the fuel tank opening; wherein a periphery of the funnel wide open inlet is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     Preferably the funnel has a container portion for holding fuel or other fluid before it is directed down a channel portion. The container portion is preferably oval shaped with the inlet periphery substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. The container portion is preferably oval shaped so that it can fit beneath a vehicle seat for storage purposes. The container portion is preferably oval shaped with the inlet periphery having an oval shape. 
     Alternatively, the container portion has a substantially rectangular inlet periphery. Preferably the elongate sides of the containers portion are flat to facilitate storage beneath a vehicle seat. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel that has a wide oval-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped inlet periphery at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end; wherein the opposite end is fixable to or within a fuel tank inlet so that in a fixed position the funnel is operational; wherein the inlet periphery is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     Preferably the channel portion of the funnel is elongate and shaped to extend past a fuel cap cover so that the container portion is proud of the fuel cap cover. 
     The channel portion is preferably angled so that when the funnel is in the operational position the container portion is proud of the fuel tank opening and or the fuel cap cover. 
     The channel portion preferably includes a grip section where a person can hold the funnel. Preferable the grip section includes one or more concentric rings providing an uneven surface to allow a person to grip the funnel. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel that has a wide oval-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, said wide open inlet has a periphery, said funnel includes an elongate curved channel portion and said channel portion has a grip section with one or more concentric rings; wherein the opposite end is fixable to or within a fuel tank inlet so that in a fixed position the funnel is operational; wherein the inlet periphery is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a funnel for use with a fuel tank opening that has a screw thread on or about the opening of the fuel tank, said funnel having a wide oval-shaped or substantially rectangular-shaped open inlet at one end and a comparatively narrow outlet at an opposite end, said funnel includes an elongate curved channel portion and said channel portion has a grip section with one or more concentric rings wherein an outer surface of the funnel at or adjacent the outlet has a screw thread that is complementary to a screw thread associated with the fuel tank opening; wherein a periphery of the funnel wide open inlet is substantially horizontal when the funnel is in an operational position. 
     The funnel can include a filter member. A filter member can be selected from a mesh bag or portion thereof insertable within the container portion and a mesh disc positionable within the container portion and serving as a screen for the fuel or fluid. The filter member can alternatively be positioned within the channel portion and more preferably at the opening of the narrow outlet. 
     The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic side view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic front view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic bottom view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the funnel; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the funnel with a locking nut; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic view of a locking nut associated with the second preferred embodiment of the funnel; and 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the funnel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Three preferred embodiments of the funnel will be described in detail. The preferred embodiments are funnels that are used to fasten to the opening inlet of a vehicle fuel tank. These embodiments are by way of example of the invention and the funnel can be used with respect to different containers and fuel tanks and not just in respect of vehicles. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 1 to 4  there is shown a first preferred embodiment of the funnel  10 . The funnel  10  has a container portion  11  and a channel portion  12 . 
     The container portion  11  has a comparatively wide inlet opening  14 . The container portion  11  has a substantially oval shape and the wide inlet opening  14  has a peripheral rim  15  that is substantially oval shaped. With reference to  FIG. 2 , the oval shaped inlet periphery  15  is orientated so that the longitudinal axis of the oval shaped inlet opening  14  is the same or parallel with the longitudinal axis of the funnel  10 . 
     The channel portion  12  has a comparatively narrow outlet opening  17  that is at the opposite end to the wide oval shaped inlet opening  14 . Channel portion  12  at or adjacent the outlet opening  17  has a threaded outer surface section  18 . The threaded outer surface section  18  has a thread  19  that is complementary to a thread on the inner surface about the fuel tank inlet opening. The arrangement of the thread  19  about the outer surface of the channel portion  12  is such that the funnel  10  can be fitted to the inlet opening of the fuel tank so that it is fastened in a position where the container portion  11  is in an upright position. 
     The channel portion  12  is elongate and slightly curved. The channel portion  12  is substantially longer than the length of the container portion  11 . The length and curvature of the channel portion  12  is arranged so that when the funnel  10  is in an operational position, the container portion  11  is positioned so that the peripheral rim  15  is substantially horizontal, the inlet opening  14  is proud of the vehicle fuel cap cover and spaced from the vehicle fuel cap cover so that fuel can be decanted into the container portion  11  without interference from the fuel cap cover. 
     The channel portion  12  also has a grip portion  21  adjacent the threaded surface section  18 . The grip portion  21  comprises four concentric rings  22  about the channel portion  12  providing an area of an uneven surface to allow a person to grip the funnel  10 . The number of rings can vary between two and six rings, but the first preferred embodiment has four concentric rings  22 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown a second embodiment of the funnel  30 . The second embodiment of the funnel  30  has identical features to the first embodiment and for purposes of convenience the features will be numbered similarly. The only difference with the second embodiment is that the funnel  30  has a locking nut  31  that winds onto the thread  19  of the threaded surface portion  18  and secures the fastened funnel  30  in position preventing accidental dislodgement of the funnel  30  from an operational position. 
     The funnel  10 ,  30  of the preferred embodiments can be fitted and fastened with the opening of a fuel tank inlet. The thread surface portion  18  has an arrangement of threads  19  that allows the threads  19  to be wound and fastened to the inlet of the fuel tank whereby the wide inlet opening  14  of the funnel  10 ,  30  is in an upright position and the peripheral rim  15  of the wide inlet opening  14  is substantially horizontal. In the second embodiment, the funnel  30  uses a locking nut  31  to lock the funnel in the operational position to avoid accidental dislodgement of the funnel  30  from the operational position. 
     When the funnel  10 ,  30  is in an operational position fastened to the inlet of the vehicle fuel tank a person may decant fuel from a container by lifting the container with both hands thereby controlling the flow of fuel into the wide inlet opening  14  of the funnel  10 ,  30 . The person decanting the fuel does not need to hold the funnel  10 ,  30  in position and need only direct their attention to pouring the fuel into the funnel  10 ,  30 . Removing the need to hold the funnel  10 ,  30  in position makes the job of pouring the fuel from a container more manageable, avoids or minimizes accidental spillage and decreases the time needed to decant the fuel from the container. 
     When the fuel has been added to the fuel tank the funnel  10 ,  30  is removed by reversing the procedure of fitting the funnel  10 ,  30 . The funnel  10 ,  30  can be conveniently stored under the seat or in a confined space because of the substantially oval shaped container portion  11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , there is shown a third preferred embodiment of the funnel  50 . The funnel  50  has a container portion  51  and a channel portion  52 . The funnel  50  is substantially the same as the funnel  10  and  30  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , except that the container portion  51  has a substantially rectangular shape. The funnel  50  also has a comparative wide inlet opening  54  that has a peripheral rim  55 . The peripheral rim  55  has a substantially rectangular shape. 
     The channel portion  52  is elongated and slightly curved. The length and curvature of the channel portion  52  is arranged so that when the funnel  50  is in an operational position, the container portion  51  is positioned so that the peripheral rim  55  is substantially horizontal, the inlet opening  54  is proud of the vehicle fuel cap cover and spaced from the vehicle fuel cap cover so that fuel can be decanted into the container portion  51  without interference from the fuel cap cover. 
     The funnel  50  also includes a comparatively narrow outlet opening  57 . The funnel  50  has a threaded outer surface section  58 . The threaded outer surface section  58  has a thread  59  that is complementary to a thread on the inner surface about the fuel tank inlet opening. 
     In use, the funnel  50  is fitted to the fuel tank inlet opening via thread  59  so that funnel  50  is fixed in a position where the container portion  51  is in an upright position. 
     The funnel  50  further includes a grip portion  61  adjacent the thread surface section  58 . The grip portion  61  comprises five concentric rings  62  about the channel portion  52  to allow a person to grip the funnel  50 . 
     The funnel can be fitted with a locking nut to lock the funnel to or about the fuel tank opening in a similar way as the second preferred embodiment. 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to a funnel for use in refilling a vehicle fuel tank from a container. The funnel is adapted to be fixed to the fuel tank inlet so that a person adding fuel to the vehicle fuel tank does not need to hold it in place during the refilling operation. This allows a person to use both their hands to hold the container containing fuel and decant the fuel in a more controlled manner. The funnel also has an inlet opening where the peripheral rim is substantially horizontal when the funnel is fixed in an operational position. With the peripheral rim being substantially horizontal the funnel is able to receive and direct fuel into the fuel tank with minimal spillage. 
     VARIATIONS 
     It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. 
     Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.