Vented Funnel

• US 20050241727A1
• Filed: 04/29/2004
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Kosmyna, Michael J., Wisniewski, Ralph A.
• Application Number:
  US10/834,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241727A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 141/297
• CPC Class Codes: B67C 11/02 without discharge valves

Abstract

A vented funnel. The vented funnel includes a funnel-shaped upper portion; and a neck extending downward from the funnel-shaped upper portion, the neck being substantially cylindrical and having a circular portion and a flat portion, the circular portion extending at least about half way around a circumference of the neck, the flat portion providing a vent in an opening of the lid to allow air to escape from a closed container. The invention also involves a method of filling a cup having a lid using the vented funnel.

Claims

1. A vented funnel for use with a closed container, the vented funnel comprising:

a funnel-shaped upper portion; and

a neck extending downward from the funnel-shaped upper portion, the neck being substantially cylindrical and having a circular portion and a flat portion, the circular portion extending at least about half way around a circumference of the neck, the flat portion providing a vent in an opening of the closed container to allow air to escape from the closed container.

2. The vented funnel of claim 1 wherein the funnel-shaped upper portion has substantially straight sides.

3. The vented funnel of claim 1 wherein the funnel-shaped upper portion has curved sides.

4. The vented funnel of claim 1 wherein the vented funnel is made of plastic.

5. The vented funnel of claim 1 further comprising a funnel support adapted to receive the vented funnel.

6. The vented funnel of claim 1 further comprising a funnel liner adapted to fit in the vented funnel.

7. The vented funnel of claim 6 wherein the funnel liner is made of a material selected from paper, or plastic.

8. The vented funnel of claim 1 further comprising a rib on the inside of the neck.

9. The vented funnel of claim 8 wherein the rib extends completely around the inside of the neck.

10. The vented funnel of claim 1 wherein there are at least two flat portions.

16. The vented funnel of claim 1 further comprising a funnel liner adapted to fit in the vented funnel.

17. The vented funnel of claim 8 wherein the rib extends completely around the inside of the neck.

11. A vented funnel for use with a cup having a lid, the vented funnel comprising:

a funnel-shaped upper portion; and

a neck extending downward from the funnel-shaped upper portion, the neck being substantially cylindrical and having a circular portion and a flat portion, the circular portion extending at least about half way around a circumference of the neck, the flat portion providing a vent in an opening of the lid to allow air to escape from the cup, and the inside of the neck having a rib.

12. The vented funnel of claim 11 wherein the funnel-shaped upper portion has substantially straight sides.

13. The vented funnel of claim 11 wherein the funnel-shaped upper portion has curved sides.

14. The vented funnel of claim 11 wherein the vented funnel is made of plastic.

15. The vented funnel of claim 11 further comprising a funnel support adapted to receive the vented funnel.

18. A method of filling a cup having a lid, the method comprising:

providing a vented funnel comprising a funnel portion and a neck, the neck being substantially cylindrical and having a circular portion and a flat portion, the circular portion extending at least about half way around a circumference of the neck, the flat portion providing a vent in an opening in the lid to allow air to escape from the inside of the cup;

inserting the vented funnel into the opening in the lid;

filling the vented funnel with a fluid,

wherein the fluid flows into the cup through the neck, and air escapes from the cup through the vent.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising placing a funnel liner in the vented funnel before filling the liner with the fluid.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising placing the funnel in a funnel support before inserting the vented funnel into the opening in the lid.