Patent Publication Number: US-3874429-A

Title: Combined funnel and container device

Description:
DEVICE inventor: Kenneth K. LaFarge, San Diego,  
 Calif.  
 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc., New York, NY. a part interest Filed: Mar. 4, 1974 Appl. No.: 447,567  
 Assignee:  
 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1956 Persson........................... 141/319 X 2/1965 141/384 United States Patent 1191 1111 3,874,429 LaFarge Apr. 1, 1975 [5 COMBINED FUNNEL AND CONTAINER 3,195,752 7/1965 Cox 215/100 R x 3,217,917 11/1965 George 215/100 R Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton [57] ABSTRACT A combined funnel and container device comprising first and second hollow plastic bottles, each bottle having a reduced diameter open neck with external threads at one end. The other end of one bottle is cut away. The other bottle is disposed in vertical upright position. The one bottle is disposed in vertical inverted position with its vertical neck extending above and abutting the upright neck of said other bottle. A manually operable connector sleeve detachably secures the abutting necks together in a leak proof manner. The inverted bottle functions as a funnel to conduct liquid into the upright bottle. The inverted bottle can then be removed and the upright bottle capped.  
 2 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENIED 1 I975 I, A If WHM/ M.  
 F IQZ.  
 COMBINED FUNNEL AND CONTAINER DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed toward a combined funnel and container device. The funnel can be used to conduct liquid into the container. After the funnel is removed. the container can be capped to store the liquid.  
  More particularly. the device includes first and second like hollow plastic bottles, each bottle having at one end a reduced diameter open neck with external threads.  
  One bottle is disposed in vertically upright position. The other bottle has an opposite end cut away and is disposed in vertically inverted position with its neck abutting and extending above the neck of the one bottle.  
  A manually operable connector sleeve detachably secures the abutting necks together in a leak proof manner. The connector defines a vertical hollow sleeve open at both ends with internal threads cooperating with the neck threads whereby rotation of the cylinder in one direction secures the necks together and reversal of rotation forces the necks apart.  
  The inverted bottle serves as a detachable funnel which can be used to conduct liquid into the upright bottle. The inverted bottle can then be disconnected and the open neck of the upright bottle capped to permit the liquid to he stored as desired.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. I is a side view of the invention; and FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view of a portion thereof.  
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. I and 2, two originally identical plastic bottles 10 and 12 each have at one end a vertical open neck I4 of reduced diameter with an external thread 24. The opposite end of bottle 12 is cutaway to form end opening 16.  
  Bottle I0 is disposed in vertically upright position. Bottle I2 inverted vertically is disposed above bottle III with the necks abutting and vertically aligned. Since one neck is inverted and the other is upright. the threads on the outside surfaces thereof have opposite directions of rotation.  
  A manually rotatable sleeve I8 defining a vertical hollow cylinder open at both ends has upper and lower internal threads 20 and 22 which also have opposite directions of rotation.  
  When the cylinder is disposed between the two necks. rotation in one direction pulls the necks to gether in water tight manner. while rotation in opposite direction pushes the necks apart to separate same.  
  The inverted bottle can be used as a funnel as previously described.  
  While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings. such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.  
  Having thus described this invention. what is asserted as new is:  
  I. A combined funnel and container de\ ice comprising:  
 first and second like hollow plastic bottles. each having, at one end. a reduced diameter open neck with external threads. the other end of one bottle being cut away, the other bottle being disposed in vertical upright position. the one bottle being disposed in vertical inverted position with its inverted neck extending above and abutting the upright neck of said other bottle; and  
 a manually operable connecter sleeve detachably securing said abutting necks together in a leak proof manner.  
  2. The device of claim I wherein said connecter defines a hollow vertical cylinder open at both ends with internal threads cooperating with the neck threads whereby rotation of the cylinder in one direction secures the necks together and reversal of rotation forces the necks apart.