Improvements in and connected with Funnels for Fluids and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Aug., 1895-Accepted, 26th Sept., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Funnels for Fluids and
the like.
I, FREDERIC HUGHES of 20, Paget Road, West Dulwich, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My improvements in funnels consist in so constructing them that they will at
one and the same time constitute a funnel and measure and also retain within them
the liquid until it is required to run it permanently or temporarily into some other
receptacle such as a bottle or glass. Although primarily intended for the use of
those who dispense liquors at public bars, restaurants and the like, it is nevertheless
applicable to any similar purpose, as for instance the filling of jars and bottles. In
carrying my invention I proceed in or in about the following manner:-1 form the
body of the funnel of suitable shape, but preferably such as is hereinafter described
and shown. The body is furnished with an exit tube with openings around its
lower end or edge. It is also provided with a buffer below the body and at the
top of the tube. The under part of the buffer is made preferably of thick rubber
of ring-like formation, portions of which are cut away at intervals around it, so
that when it rests on the mouth of the bottle or other receptacle spaces are left, to
allow exit of air from the receptacle when liquid is allowed to run in from the body
of the funnel. At the bottom of the interior of the body is a valve of any suitable
kind attached to the lower end of a (preferably) vertical spindle, which at its upper
end is pivotted to a lever hinged to the mouth of the funnel and projecting beyond
the edge so that by touching the projecting end the spindle will be lifted and raise
the valve, and thus allow the contents of the funnel to run out.
Another arrangement more especially suited to large funnels is to have a ring or
handle at the upper end of the spindle which can be passed through a slot in a
bridge extending across the mouth of the funnel. When the spindle is drawn up
for allowing the contents to run out it can be given half a turn and lodge: across
the slot until it is again required to close the valve.
In order that my invention may be the more readily understood I make reference
to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one of my improved funnels for use in serving
out liquors at bars and like places.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of a funnel for dealing with larger quantities of
liquids.
Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a plan of the buffer.
In each figure similar letters denote similar parts.
a is the body of the funnel, 6 the exit tube having the interstices c around its
lower end. d the spindle carrying the valve e. The spindle d is kept vertical by
the guide ring f. Across the mouth of the funnel may be the bridge g having in it
the slot h, through which the spindle d can be drawn and then retained in its raised
position by placing the ring or handle i across the slot as shown in dotted lines.
jis the buffer having the rubber or other ring k underneath. are openings in the
rubber buffer for allowing the air to escape as already mentioned. In Fig. 1, m is
the lever hinged at n and having the projecting portion part o, by which the
spindle d valve e can be lifted as and when required. The end of the lever m may

page_text: be pivotted to the upper end of d, or a lug may be provided on each side of d and
the end of m slotted so as to allow m to lift the spindle and valve.
It will be observed that the shape of the body of the funnel in Fig. 2 differs from
the usual form for large funnels inasmuch that instead of being comparatively flat
and of large diameter, I prefer to make them of greater height and lesser diameter.
By this formation the jars, bottles and other receptacles can be placed closer
together when being filled than can be done if the flatter ordinary funnel is
employed. The bottom of the funnel is also made sloping so as to ensure the
complete draining off of the liquid. The funnel and its component parts and
appendages can be made of any suitable material or materials or combination
thereof.
I do not confine myself to the precise shapes, relative proportions or disposition
of parts as described in the above specification or exemplified in the accompanying
drawings as any or all of them may be varied to suit special requirements without
departing from the spirit of my invention. For instance the exit tube may be
otherwise than central.
Having particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. Constructing funnels in such manner that they also serve as measures for the
liquids put therein substantially as described in the above specification and
exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
2. Providing funnels with a suitably placed valve, by which the contents can be
retained until such times as it is required to run off the liquid, substantially as
described in the above specification and exemplified in the accompanying
drawings.
3. Providing funnels with a buffer suitably situated for the purpose of reducing
the concussional shock caused by the sticking of the bottom of the funnel on the
upper part of the receptacle with which it is being used, substantially as described
in the above specification and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
4. Providing funnels with a lifting spindle and valve operated from the side of the
funnel, substantially as described in the above specification with reference to Fig. 1
of the accompanying drawings.
5. Providing funnels with a lifting spindle and valve operated and operating
substantially as described in the above specification with reference to Figs. 2 & 3
of the accompanying drawings.
6. Funnels constructed and operating substantially as described in the above
specification and exemplified in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 13th day of August 1896.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.