Abstract:
A funnel usable for transferring relatively viscous fluids from one container to another. The funnel includes either extending posts or threaded walls which are engageable with the container from which the fluid is to flow. The funnel may have a tubular section to fit into the neck of a receiving container of comparable size, such a section may give added stability to an upper part of the arrangement.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to funnels designed to allow easy transfer of flowing material—either fluid or particulate from one container to a second container and more specifically to a funnel for transfer normally of a liquid from a container which usually has a screw-threaded neck to another container. 
     Frugal kitchen workers and others often try to salvage small amounts of unused syrup, catsup and similar viscous liquid foods by transferring remnants from a used bottle to a newly purchased container simply by inverting the nearly empty container and waiting—sometimes for long periods—for the liquid to drain from that empty container into a nearly full container. Unfortunately, it is a fairly frequent occurrence to have the upper bottle slip off the lower container. The result may be drainage of some of the liquid onto the surface of the kitchen counter or the like—a rather unsatisfactory result. 
     Frugal mechanics may be in much the same position with liquids of relatively high viscosity and which are not used in full container quantities. Motor oils for small engines may be one example. Other oils for hydraulic equipment may be another. 
     It is obvious that some method of ensuring continuous drainage arrangement between the two containers is desirable. The device embodying the present invention is one possible expedient. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section of one alternative funnel in place between two containers; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of another alternative embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view from line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2 showing a preferred formation of the exterior of the alternative funnel; 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a medial sectional view of the device of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is top plan view of the device of FIG. 4; and 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the device of FIG.  4 ; 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Briefly this invention comprises a funnel which can be fastened to a container and used to guide material from that container into a second container. 
     More specifically and referring to the drawings, the funnel  10  of one simple alternative may be formed in a conical shape having a larger diameter at one end than the other. On the inner side of the cone, a series of screw threads  11  is formed. These threads have a pitch of approximately the spacing of threads on cans or bottles of the material to be transferred. Since these threads on the necks  12  of containers  13  are all approximately the same, that pitch may be uniform for a funnel. Cones may be designed for use with various sizes of containers or for a variety of materials. The pitch of the threads in the cone may be varied as the size of the cone varies. 
     The taper on the funnel should be such that the narrow end will fit nicely within the receiving container. To be certain of this, it is envisioned that the funnels may be sold in one package containing a plurality of sizes, but it should be noted that the transfer of the liquid will normally take place between similar sized containers so that if the funnel can be threaded the neck of the near-empty container, the narrow end will, in all likelihood, fit into the receiving container  14 . 
     A first modification of the funnel is shown in FIG.  2 . In this embodiment which, though not the most preferred embodiment might be selected as better than the first, the funnel  20  is comprised of a conical section  21  very similar to the first described embodiment and a tubular section  22 . The conical section is formed with threads  23  in the same manner as the original embodiment so that it can still be threaded onto the neck of a near empty container. However, the tubular section  22  may be of a size to fit into the neck of a receiving container. Where there is repetitive use with receiving containers of the same size, such a section may give added stability to the upper part of the arrangement. 
     In this embodiment the exterior of the funnel is formed with a series of ridges  24 . The ridges, by allowing for the passage of air between the conical section  21  and the neck of the bottle into which the funnel is inserted, provide a much easier insertion and withdrawal of the device compared to the first described embodiment. 
     It will be apparent that with either of the first two embodiments, the invention provides a relatively stable assembly for the transfer of liquid from one container to another. To use the device, it is necessary only to thread the funnel onto the threads of the near empty contain  13 . Because of the taper of the funnel, there will be only one or two threads engaged, but that is normally adequate to provide a reasonably tight fit. The container with the funnel attached may then be inverted so that the funnel will engage the interior of the receiving container  14 . With the first embodiment, the taper of the funnel will fit relatively tightly into the neck of the receiving container so that the assembly may be set in place and left to drain. With the second embodiment, the tubular section  22 , as it fits more snugly into the neck of the receiving container may provide an even more stable assembly to be left to drain. In either case, the assembly of the two containers joined by the funnel may be set on a workbench or kitchen counter to drain from one container to another while the user goes about his or her other activities. 
     The preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 4-7. In this device, the threads on the funnel interior are dispensed with. Instead a plurality of stepped posts  30  or vanes extend upwardly from the interior of a funnel  31 . These posts are designed to extend into the neck  27  of a bottle  28 , and have steps  32  to engage the neck of the bottle depending on the inner diameter of that neck. The device illustrated shows four of the posts  30 . It will, however, be evident that three such posts could be used, or that more than four might be used as desired and dependent on the inner diameter of the bottle neck  27 . Reinforcing ribs  33  (FIG. 6) may be used to strengthen and stiffen the posts  30 . For added support a tube  40  extending from the top of the posts  30  partially into the funnel may be desirable. 
     Similarly on the exterior of the funnel  31  and extending down the delivery spout  34  are a series of placement ribs  35 . These ribs  35  are also formed with steps  36  for better fitting the funnel spout  34  into the neck of the receiving bottle  29 . Thus, with the steps  32  and  36  both the first container which is being drained and the receiving container can be stabilized and supported in the same manner as they are held by the threads in the first and second described embodiments.